"You're so bad, unbelievable" - Heated scenes in Paris Masters as Arthur Fils lashes out at chair umpire after incorrect call against Alexander Zverev

Arthur Fils was left frustrated due to an umpire error that was later overturned during his defeat to Alexander Zverev in the 2024 Paris Masters third round. The Frenchman ended up winning the point but eventually lost a crucial game in the deciding set.

Zverev and Fils walked out at the center court at the Bercy Arena on Thursday, October 31 for a place in the quarterfinals of the final Masters 1000 event of the year.

They were entangled in a close encounter and Zverev picked up the first set 6-4. The World No. 20, on the back of raucous home support, rallied back and forced a decider by winning the second set 6-3.

In the third set, controversy ensued during the fourth game with Zverev 2-1 up. Fils served inside the baseline but the umpire called it out. Eventually, the decision was overturned as Fils challenged the call and the ball was seen to be fairly inside. The umpire said to Fils:

“You’re right. I missed it.”

However, the 20-year-old was in disbelief and asked:

“How can you miss it?”

Fils went on to win the point, however, the World No. 3 German managed to earn a crucial break. The Frenchman was frustrated and the home crowd expressed their displeasure through boos all around the stadium. Fils confronted the umpire and said:

"You are so bad, it's unbelievable, since the first game I told you, you were so bad. And you keep going like this. Man, come on. Rise up a little bit."

The break helped Zverev close out the game 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. The German had a full circle moment as the pair's last encounter featured Fils taking down Zverev in front of his home crowd in Hamburg during the ATP 500 final.

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"Arthur Fils is a great player and has improved a lot this year" - Alexander Zverev praises his opponent following intense Paris Masters battle

Arthur Fils (L) and Alexander Zverev with their Hamburg Open trophies (Image: Getty)

This was the third battle of the year between Alexander Zverev and Arthur Fils. Zverev won their encounter in the quarterfinals in Halle and Fils managed to pick up the win in the final in Hamburg. At the Paris Masters, the German triumphed again with all three matches going the distance.

"I am happy I hung in there today. It was a great match," Alexander Zverev said after his win over Arthur Fils at the Paris Masters (via ATP Tour). "He is a great player and has improved a lot this year. I am looking forward to the next few battles we are going to have."

Overall, Zverev leads the head-to-head against Fils 3-1. The World No. 3 will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight.