Fritz Keeps Cool To Reach Atlanta Quarter-finals
Taylor Fritz rallied from a set down to book a place in the Truist Atlanta Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, as he defeated Steve Johnson 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1 in a battle between Americans.
Fritz, who reached the semi-finals in Los Cabos last week, maintained the momentum after dropping a 51-minute opening set to Johnson, No. 80 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. The 2019 finalist raised his level in the second set, and opened up a 5-0 lead in the third.
Although on-court temperatures reportedly crept into the triple digits (Fahrenheit) in Atlanta, Fritz stayed cool to seal the win after an hour and 57 minutes.
“I’m feeling really good, I like playing in the heat. And you know, we had a couple of tough [rallies] out there, but it was mostly serving. This is a fast court and there were a lot of short points, so it doesn’t take a big toll on my body,” Fritz said in an on-court interview. “I feel ready for doubles, and then I’m going to rest up.”
[WATCH LIVE 2]The fifth seed saved the only break point he faced in an impressive serving performance. He won 90 per cent (45/50) of points behind his powerful first delivery and he fired 17 aces en route to victory. Fritz will await the winner of fourth seed Reilly Opelka and American qualifier Bjorn Fratangelo, as he seeks his fourth semi-final berth of the season.
Fritz is also entered in the doubles competition with Cameron Norrie, and they will hit the court later today after suitable rest to face fourth seeds Matthew Ebden and John-Patrick Smith.