No. 17 Seed Arthur Fils delivered 25 winners and overcame back pain to deliver a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 upset by top seeds Alexander Zverev on Wednesday to reach the Miami Open Quarter.
The 20-year-old Frenchman recovered from the first canceled loss to defeat Zverev for the second time during the last three meetings.
Fils said he has handled severe back pain and continued after digging the early hole.
“In the first set I didn’t play well,” said Fils, who had four aces. “I found a way today, I was so happy late in the match.”
After losing the opening set, files jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the second on the way to the evening match.
Zverev took 3-1 lead in the third set before Fils won the next four matches. After Zverev won the next match, the Fils closed the match.
“In the third set, I thought it was over, 1-3 and with him who served well,” Fils said. “I just said: ‘Ok, don’t get angry. Just try to play as much as you can and try to fight, and if you get a break it’s nice.’ It happened, so what can I say.
Zverev had nine ace but German ended with only 14 winners.
Fils meets Jakub Mensik from the Czech Republic in Thursday’s quarterfinale.
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