Fritz Fires Past Sinner To Reach Indian Wells QFs

  • Posted: Oct 14, 2021

Taylor Fritz is turning into a conqueror of Italians this year in Indian Wells .

One day after upsetting Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, the American defeated 10th seed Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the BNP Paribas Open quarter-finals. The American is into the last eight at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time.

Fritz saved two break points when he served out the match, including one in a lung-busting rally, which he punctuated with a fist pump after Sinner mishit a forehand well out. Then on his first match point, the World No. 39 crushed a backhand winner up the line and let out a cathartic roar as he threw his arms in the air.

Not only is this the 23-year-old’s best result of the season, but he has advanced through the draw decisively. Fritz has not lost a set, and none of the six sets he has played has gone further than 6-4.

The 2019 Eastbourne titlist will next play third seed Alexander Zverev or 14th seed Gael Monfils. He will try to reach his fifth tour-level semi-final of the season.

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Fritz and Sinner are both big-hitting baseliners who like to control the action. And it was the home favourite who was able to stay on the baseline and remain calm under pressure, saving five of the eight break points he faced.

The California-native prevented Sinner from making his second Masters 1000 quarter-final of the season. The Italian, who only won 48 per cent of his service points against Fritz, beat John Millman in the second round and in the third round received a walkover from John Isner, who rushed home to attend to the birth of his third child.

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