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Taylor Fritz thought he must miss the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships after testing constructive for COVID-19 in Seoul, the place he needed to quarantine for one week. However after arriving simply in time for his Tokyo opener on Wednesday, the American has made probably the most of his alternative by reaching the ultimate on the ATP 500.
The chances had been as soon as once more stacked in opposition to Fritz in opposition to Denis Shapovalov within the Saturday’s semi-finals, however the American battled again from 1-3 down within the deciding set to safe a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 victory and advance to his third ATP Tour closing of the season.
Including to the achievement, Fritz additionally clinched what will likely be his High 10 debut in subsequent week’s version Pepperstone ATP Rankings.
In an exhibition of first-strike tennis from each males within the Ariake Colosseum, the American was in management early. He led by a set and broke for 3-2 within the second earlier than Shapovalov snapped again with an instantaneous reply to stage.
The Canadian was fearless in profitable a dramatic tie-break to drive a 3rd set. After seeing a Fritz passing shot clip the road to erase a mini-break and knot the rating at 4-4, Shapovalov ventured ahead once more on every of the subsequent two factors and was rewarded for his bravery. He then claimed the set by transferring Fritz from nook to nook in a tense rally that was one of many longest of the match.
Gesturing to the group after sealing the set, Shapovalov rode his momentum to a 3-1 lead within the decider.
However a love maintain helped Fritz rediscovered his greatest kind, as he rattled off the ultimate 5 video games of the match to arrange an all-American closing in opposition to Frances Tiafoe.
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