Paris Masters: Yannick Noah in the stands as Arthur Fils beats Machac and books his Turin spot

Yannick Noah sat in the front row for Arthur Fils’s first match in Paris for a year and a half, “particularly enthusiastic” according to franceinfo, and the French number one needed no second invitation: 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) against Tomas Machac on Wednesday evening at the Paris Masters. A place in the last 16 follows, with Taylor Fritz waiting.

His spot at the season-ending Masters in Turin (15-22 November) had been sealed hours earlier: Frances Tiafoe, his last rival in the race, had lost to Quentin Halys. Fils becomes the first Frenchman to play the Masters since Gaël Monfils in 2016. “It is a day I won’t forget,” he said. “I followed Quentin’s match closely, I have to thank him. It allowed me to relax for tonight’s match.”

A childhood dream

“It is a childhood dream, I am very very happy to take part this year,” Fils added, hoping to return “almost every year”. Back in February after close to eight months out with a stress fracture in his back, he has already won a Masters 1000 in Cincinnati and an ATP 500 title in Barcelona this season.

Fritz tonight, and a market on the move

On Thursday evening (19:30 GMT), Fils meets Taylor Fritz for a place in the quarter-finals. The American has played two three-set matches in two days, against Benjamin Bonzi (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) and Alex Molcan (6-7, 7-5, 7-6); Fils spent two sets on court on Wednesday. Their only previous meeting came in Tokyo in 2024, won by Fils 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, and it weighs little two years on.

The market has already made up its mind: Fils has shortened from 1.90 to 1.80 with Betano on Thursday morning, with Fritz drifting from 2.05 to 2.12. At 1.80, the market gives the Frenchman slightly better than an even chance. Match scenario and the full odds: our Fils-Fritz prediction. 18+. Only bet what you can afford to lose.