Taylor Fritz won two matches in one day as he beat Joao Fonseca and Marcos Giron in windy conditions to reach the semifinal in Eastbourne. Fritz won three titles in Eastbourne in 2019, 2022 and 2024.
Fritz beat Fonseca 6-3 5-7 7-5 in a match that was suspended due to darkness after two set due to darkness. Fritz, who won the title in Stuttgart earlier this year, returned to the court to beat Giron 7-5 4-6 7-5.
Fritz dropped his serve in the first game, but broke straight back to draw level to 1-1. Both players held serve until 6-5 in Fritz’ favour, when Giron dropped his serve.
Giron broke twice in the second set. Fritz broke back once, but Fritz won the second set 6-4 to level the match to 1-1. Fritz did not face a single break point in the third set and broke Giron at 6-5 to seal the third set.
Fritz hit a tweener in response to a lob before chasing down a drop shot for a winner.
“I’ve been here so many years… I love this tournament and I love the way it feels to play here. I’ve been very lucky all those years I won the tournament to not play in very windy conditions. It’s tough for me when I don’t get to play the tennis I love to play and I have to scrap and play crazy tennis.”, said Fritz.
Fritz set up a semifinal clash against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who beat Jakub Mensik 6-4 7-5.
Ugo Humbert beat Billy Harris 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 to reach his 20th ATP Tour semifinal.
Jenson Brooksby beat Daniel Evans 6-2 6-3 to become the fourth lucky loser in history to reach the semifinal in Eastbourne.
