Halys Looks Towards Next Gen ATP Finals

Next Gen ATP star Quentin Halys produced breakout results in 2016, but is looking to take his game to an even higher level this season. 

The 20-year-old Frenchman is off to a promising start in achieving that goal. He’s delighted the home crowd at this week’s $50,000 event in Quimper, powering through Miljan Zekic of Serbia and Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia to reach the quarter-finals. Halys will now play another Russian in qualifier Aslan Karatsev for a place in the final four.

“Quimper has made some good improvements since last year,” said Halys. “There’s a new area on-site with three courts, a very nice centre court and everything you need is right here. It’s now on the same level as the best French Challengers and ATP World Tour 250 events.”

Halys enjoyed a breakthrough 2016 season on the ATP Challenger Tour, winning his first Challenger in April in Tallahassee, Florida, and finishing runner-up in October in Fairfield, California. He also won his opening-round match at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Open 13 Marseille.

But while the Frenchman has enjoyed a taste of success at the world’s biggest tournaments, he hopes to make that a more permanent occurrence in 2017.

“I learned a lot last year, so I think I can do great things in the ATP [World Tour] events this year. I’ve worked very hard to be more regular at this level,” said Halys. “My goal is to be more serious during all of my matches, focusing on myself and my side of the court and not looking at my opponent.”

Halys is also looking ahead to the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan. He’s hoping to be one of the rising stars that qualifies, but knows he will need to produce the best season of his young career in order to make it there.

“It’s definitely an amazing tournament for all of the Next Gen ATP players,” said Halys. “Being there would mean I had a great, consistent year with a high ranking. There will be eight great guys playing there, so it’s going to be a very competitive event.”