Taylor Fritz sets up all-American QF clash with Sebastian Korda in Tokyo
World number 5 Taylor Fritz cemented his place in the ATP Japan Open quarterfinals following a gritty 7-5, 7-6 (4) victory over Portugal’s Nuno Borges on Friday.
The match that lasted a little less than two hours, saw Fritz hit 29 winners, which included 15 aces. The win also helped the second seed extend his tally to 30 wins since the grass season started in June — thereby helping him extend his staggering tour-leading feat.
The Wimbledon semifinalist will now face fellow American Sebastian Korda, who beat Japanese wild card Sho Shimabukuro 6-1, 6-4.
Korda — who’ll be in his fourth quarterfinal of the season — will aim to do everything in his power to peg Fritz back in his quest to win his third title this season. The head-to-head between these two is tilted slightly in Fritz’s favour as it stands at 2-1.
Elsewhere, fourth seed Casper Ruud also punched his ticket to the quarterfinal after beating Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (4), 6-2. The Norwegian will face Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic, who comfortably overcame Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-2.
