Rome, 2 Aug. (LaPresse) – Taylor Fritz and Rafael Jodar are the finalists at the ATP 500 in Washington. In the first semi-final, the American Fritz defeated his compatriot Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour and 46 minutes. After two very seesawing sets, the match was decided by the break Fritz secured in the second game of the third set, which saw him race into a 3-0 lead before comfortably holding onto his advantage until the end of the match. “Snatching that break,” said Fritz, “made all the difference in the world. It was a very close contest throughout the match; we didn’t have many opportunities to break each other’s serve. I played really well in that game and then held on to my serve to maintain the lead.” Fritz finished with 14 aces across 13 service games and won 80 per cent of the points on his first serve (36 points out of 45 played). In the second semi-final, Spain’s Jodar came from behind to beat Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 23 minutes. “It’s simply fantastic,” said Jodar after the match. “I’m doing really well, especially with my team and my dad. He’s always by my side and I really appreciate all the work we’ve put in. Reaching the final here means a lot to me. I have to keep pushing because a very tough match awaits me now.”
Tennis: ATP Washington, Fritz and Jodar to face off in the final
Rome, 2 Aug. (LaPresse) – Taylor Fritz and Rafael Jodar are the finalists at the ATP 500 in Washington. In the first semi-final, the American Fritz defeated his compatriot Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in one hour and 46 minutes. After two very seesawing sets, the match was decided by the break Fritz secured in the second game of the third set, which saw him race into a 3-0 lead before comfortably holding onto his advantage until the end of the match. “Snatching that break,” said Fritz, “made all the difference in the world. It was a very close contest throughout the match; we didn’t have many opportunities to break each other’s serve. I played really well in that game and then held on to my serve to maintain the lead.” Fritz finished with 14 aces across 13 service games and won 80 per cent of the points on his first serve (36 points out of 45 played). In the second semi-final, Spain’s Jodar came from behind to beat Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 in 2 hours and 23 minutes. “It’s simply fantastic,” said Jodar after the match. “I’m doing really well, especially with my team and my dad. He’s always by my side and I really appreciate all the work we’ve put in. Reaching the final here means a lot to me. I have to keep pushing because a very tough match awaits me now.”
