Fritz Advances to ATP Dallas Semifinals with Stellar Performance

In an impressive display of skill and determination, world number seven Taylor Fritz triumphed over 53rd-ranked Sebastian Korda to reach the semifinals of the ATP Dallas tournament. The match concluded with scores of 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), and lasted two hours and 30 minutes.

Fritz’s Stellar Performance

Fritz showcased his power by hitting 22 aces and successfully converting all four break point opportunities he faced. This victory improved his career record against Korda to 4-1.

Post-match, Fritz expressed pride in navigating critical moments. “He was constantly putting a lot of pressure on my serve,” he noted, acknowledging Korda’s strong performance throughout. “I came through and played great tennis.”

Injury and Recovery

Midway through the match, Fritz encountered a concerning right elbow injury after returning a shot from Korda. Reflecting on the moment, he stated, “I just instantly got this really sharp pain in my elbow.” Despite the discomfort, he managed to finish with the help of painkillers, regaining confidence as the match progressed.

Final Tie-Break Drama

The final tie-break was tightly contested. Korda had a 5-2 lead and served for the match at 5-4, but missed opportunities allowed Fritz to make a comeback. “Once I got that point I knew all the pressure was on him,” Fritz recalled.

Semifinal Matchup

In the semifinal, Fritz will face Croatian Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion. Fritz holds a 2-1 record against Cilic in ATP matches, with victories at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2022 and Indian Wells in 2017. However, he lost a final encounter in St. Petersburg in 2021.

Upcoming Matches

In other semifinal action, defending champion Denis Shapovalov from Canada will compete against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Additionally, U.S. second seed Ben Shelton, currently ranked ninth in the world, squares off against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.