Aix-en-Provence 2023: Fils vs. Goffin Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Aix-en-Provence Challenger quarterfinal match featuring Arthur Fils vs. David Goffin on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Arthur Fils vs. David Goffin Preview

French young gun Arthur Fils eyes a big scalp against former World No. 7 David Goffin at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger quarterfinal. Who will prevail?

After a slow start to this year’s clay swing, the wheels are finally turning in the right direction for Arthur Fils who reached his first quarterfinal of 2023 on the dirt at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger. He took down big-serving Quentin Halys who has looked mighty impressive on the surface in the past month, doing so in three sets. He came from a break down in the decider to win in a tiebreak.

David Goffin has a rather subdued year up until this year’s clay swing, partly due to a debilitating knee injury that limited him to just 11 Tour-level matches. He’s now played in his second Challenger tournament of the season after winning Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve in January. Goffin needed to forge a deep run at the Aix-en-Provence to be certain of his entry in the main draws in Rome and Roland Garros and he’s done so with two contrasting wins.

Arthur Fils vs. David Goffin Prediction and Pick

Arthur Fils and David Goffin have not played each other at any level, with this quarterfinal at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger being their first meeting. Fils’ has played some quality tennis under pressure this week, accounting for two countrymen in Barrere and Halys. He’s had his share of mental hiccups in both matches but showcased his burgeoning talent by winning in a final set tiebreak. But I think Goffin will be an insurmountable challenger for the young Frenchman. It’s a tight line, but look out for the Belgian’s assured baseline game to come out on top.