(Tennis News) Taylor Fritz continued his impressive run by securing a place in the Washington Open semifinals on Friday. He followed up a hard-fought, rain-delayed victory over Andy Murray with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 triumph against Jordan Thompson during the evening session.
During their rain-postponed match, Murray initially overcame an early break of serve in the extensive first set, forcing a tiebreak that he dominated as the seasoned three-time major champion from Scotland.
In the subsequent set, top-seeded American Fritz secured an early break, which proved decisive in sealing the set and prolonging the contest to a decisive third set.
In the closely contested third set, Fritz capitalized on a series of errors in Murray’s service game, placing himself at the brink of victory with a 5-4 lead.
Despite facing a determined opponent, Murray staged a comeback by gaining a 0-40 advantage in the following game.
Displaying resilience, Fritz, who delivered an impressive 17 aces, skillfully navigated through the challenging situation with his serving prowess. He brilliantly executed a lunging volley to set up a match point, ultimately clinching the victory with a cross-court forehand winner.
The match not only showcased the raw power of both players but also highlighted their versatility, as they skillfully executed delicate drop shots at crucial junctures. This tactical diversity frequently led to captivating rallies on a sweltering and humid day.
During the game, a pause occurred due to climate change activists disrupting the proceedings. The protesters threw tennis balls adorned with flames onto the court and unveiled banners urging tournament sponsors Mubadala and Citi to discontinue support for the fossil fuel industry.
Following this interruption, Fritz concluded an extensive four-hour and 20-minute day of play with a straightforward victory in straight sets against Australian opponent Jordan Thompson, all under the illuminated night sky.
His next challenge in the quest for a spot in the final will be against Tallon Griekspoor, who dominated American J.J. Wolf with a 7-5, 6-4 triumph during the afternoon session.
Despite his status as a hometown favorite, Frances Tiafoe fell short of securing two victories during his back-to-back matches on Friday.
Tiafoe exhibited his skills, including a powerful forehand passing shot on match point, to overcome 18-year-old qualifier Shang Juncheng with a score of 6-2, 6-3 in their delayed round of 16 encounter. However, his fortunes took a turn when he faced a formidable opponent in the form of British player Dan Evans, who effortlessly clinched a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
In the semifinals, Dan Evans is set to face off against Bulgarian player Grigor Dimitrov, who advanced to the semis without even stepping on the court, as he received a walkover from Frenchman Ugo Humbert.
