Fils overcomes injury to win Japan Open in thriller

Arthur Fils battled gamely despite a left ankle injury to defeat fellow Frenchman Ugo Humbert 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 in the Japan Open final and claim the third ATP title of his career.

The 20-year-old grew in confidence through the three-hour contest after losing the first set and saved a match point before clinching his first victory over Humbert after defeats in their previous four meetings, including twice this year.

Fils broke early to go 3-2 up in the first set but struggled on serve, handing Humbert a break in the next game with back-to-back double faults. But Fils then put pressure on world number 19 Humbert, who had to save four break points to hold twice.

It was Humbert who found the break though as he took the first set, with Fils struggling due to his injury.

The world number 24 received some treatment in the second set as Humbert looked to break and take a 5-4 lead, going 40-0 up. But Fils dug deep to save all three break points, landing measured shots near the lines as the set went to a tiebreak.

Humbert went 6-5 up in the breaker and was serving for the match but Fils, now moving more easily, saved a match point with a spectacular backhand passing shot and won the next two points to take the set.

Fils pushed hard in the third set and Humbert saved two break points before his fellow countryman finally prevailed, taking a 5-3 lead before sealing the title with an ace.

After the match, Fils, who was slowed down by pain in his left leg in the second set, insisted it was an improbable triumph.

"Honestly I don't know how I turned it around," the world No 24 said. "After 5-all in the first set, I was feeling dead on the court. He was playing unbelievable shots. It was a very tight first set. I got a lot of break points and didn't break. He's such a great champion and it was very tough."

In July, Fils won his first tournament of the year, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-1) in the Hamburg Open final.