Taylor Fritz admits fitness concern after dominant display in record third Eastbourne International win
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Published 29/06/2024 at 17:41 GMT
A dominant Taylor Fritz admitted he was still recovering from an injury sustained in the French Open as he breezed to a record third Eastbourne International title. The American's service game was all-conquering in the final against qualifier Max Purcell, offering a huge boost to his chances at Wimbledon next week. Meanwhile, Alejandro Tabilo made history for Chile at the Mallorca Championships.
ATP Eastbourne : Final - Highlights - Fritz v Purcell
A dominant Taylor Fritz admitted he was still recovering from injury after he breezed to a record third Eastbourne International win.
The American No. 1 beat qualifier Max Purcell 6-4 6-3 to take the title, his third in five years, having picked up the trophy here in 2019 and 2022.
Fritz took the championship without dropping a set, largely thanks to a dominant service game, winning 89% of points on his first serve in Saturday’s final.
But pushed to tie-breaks in five of eight sets throughout the competition, the top seed laughed at the suggestion he was playing the best grass-court tennis of his life.
Fritz said: “No. Honestly, no. I had an injury at the French Open and I still feel like I’m recovering from it. I’m still moving out of the corners not as fast as I think I could.
“But that’s why I’m here playing on grass. It’s something I guess I can make work on grass as long as I’m serving well.”
Ahead of his first-round match at Wimbledon against Christopher O’Connell on Monday, Fritz was confident his service game was at a career high.
“I’d definitely say this might be the best I’ve been serving on grass though, for sure,” said Fritz.
The American served nine aces in the final, but had to wait for Hawk-Eye to confirm his victory, after a vicious forehand was erroneously called out by the umpire at championship point.
Fritz felt the venue was starting to become a lucky charm, having claimed his maiden ATP Tour title in the south-coast town and now his eighth.
“I’m pumped," he said. "I always feel like I play well here. I just had that feeling coming into the week as well and I did a great job.
“I don’t know what it is. There’s something about this place, but I really love it. It’s so great to see all the love. I just love being in Eastbourne and having this week before Wimbledon.”
Purcell, who came through qualifying to make his first ATP Tour final, could not get close to the American, failing to push Fritz to a single break point throughout the match.
The world No. 94 summoned a late fightback in what would turn out to be the final game of the match, taking Fritz to deuce from 40-0 down.
But Purcell was fighting a losing battle, having won just 10 points on Fritz’s serve in the final, a mere 19%.
Tabilo makes history for Chile in Mallorca
Alejandro Tabilo made history in Mallorca, becoming the first Chilean man to win a grass-court title in the Open Era.
The fourth seed’s 6-3 6-4 Mallorca Championships final victory over Sebastian Ofner brought the 27-year-old his second career title, both won in 2024.
With the win, there are now two Chileans inside the world's top 20 for the first time since 2005, as confirmed by the ATP Tour. Tabilo's win helped him leapfrog compatriot Nicolas Jarry to become world No. 19.
Tabilo hit five aces and saved all three break points against him, winning the last six sets of his tournament to mark a career-best calendar year.
“It’s an unreal feeling,” said Tabilo. “It’s an unbelievable year. All the support of all the Chileans at home, my team, my girlfriend.
“It's been very nice, this whole level I've been playing. Hopefully I can keep it up and just keep showing what I can do."
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