Taylor Fritz is into the BOSS Stuttgart Open final, having reached that stage without dropping a set.
It has been a serving masterclass throughout from the 27-year-old, who brushed aside Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier today without facing a single break point.
His first serve, usually so dynamic and powerful, was perhaps not quite as fruitful as usual.
However, he went on to win an impressive 89% of points behind his second serve, highlighting his consistency.
Seeking to bounce back after an underwhelming period on the clay, Fritz has admitted that he’s enjoying a new feeling that he hasn’t had in some time.
Taylor Fritz reveals how he’s feeling after reaching Stuttgart Open final
Speaking in his post-match press conference immediately after his impressive straight-sets win, the American seemed thankful that the clay-court season was over.
After all, he has not enjoyed the most fruitful past few months, but has the perfect game style to recapture his form on grass.
Asked how he was feeling, he admitted: ‘I feel great. The clay court season didn’t go so well for me. That’s why I came here with a level of motivation that I haven’t had in a long time. I wanted to get off to a good start in the grass-court season, and the BOSS OPEN is very important to me anyway. I’m very happy to be starting the season with a final.
‘If you look at the first set, neither of us had a chance to break the other. At 5-4, he suddenly made a few mistakes, I returned a few balls, and that was it. The second set was similar. I had a few chances, but neither of us managed to break. I served well and in the end, it was one or two points that decided the match.’
During his clay-court lull, Jack Draper has overtaken Fritz both in the rankings and in their recent showings, with the Brit beating him on his way to the Indian Wells title.
Taylor Fritz will lead American hopes at Wimbledon
Alongside Ben Shelton, Fritz is likely going to be the best candidate to lead America to further Grand Slam glory at the All England Club this summer.
After all, as noted earlier, he has a game that almost seems like it was moulded to thrive on grass.
His serve is arguably one of the best and most consistent on tour, with his height providing the perfect lever to deliver rockets to his opponent’s side of the court. He blends this with a deft touch at the net, making for a deadly combination.
With Coco Gauff’s triumph in Paris, and Madison Keys’ unlikely title in Melbourne, there’s no reason why Fritz can’t be the next American to take that step and upset the favourites at Wimbledon.
