WIMBLEDON: Taylor Fritz is relishing his upcoming Wimbledom semi-final showdown against two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz and believes he has what it takes to tame the Spaniard.
The American fifth seed is high in confidence following his 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4), win over Karen Khachanov on Tuesday. Fritz is currently on a nine-match winning streak on the grass after winning the Eastbourne International heading into Wimbledon. The surface has brought the American plenty of success during his career, with five out of his 10 ATP titles being won on it.
Whilst there are plenty of positives, Fritz will still be the underdog heading into his clash with second seed Alcaraz, who brushed aside Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6-3, 6-3, in his quarter-final match. He has never beaten the Spaniard on the Tour, losing their two previous meetings on the hardcourts. However, it will be their first meeting on the grass.
“I’m happy that we’re not playing at the French Open on clay with the French Open balls ’cause that would be an absolute nightmare,” Fritz joked during his press conference.
“I think grass is very much an equalizer.
“I truly know the way that I played the first two sets today, there’s not much any opponent on the other side can do.”
The first two sets Fritz is referring to concern his encounter with Khachanov. During those sets, he won 40 out of 47 points (85%) behind his serve without facing a break point.
“I’ve made a semifinal now, two other quarterfinals at Wimbledon. Half of my titles are on grass, given that grass is such a short part of the year compared to everything else, I think it would be dumb of me to say that grass isn’t my best surface.” He said.
Nevertheless, Alcaraz is a step up when it comes to the level of player Fritz plays next. The world No.2 is on a 19-match winning streak at The All England Club. His career record on the grass currently stands at 34 wins against 3 losses.
“He’s playing great, I think the grass season for him has been really successful so far,” Alcaraz said of Fritz.
“I have got to be ready for that battle. I have played a few times against him. He is really tough to play against so I will try to play similar to what I did today (against Norrie).”
Besides the conditions, Fritz is also drawing confidence from his run to the US Open final last year. He became the first male player from his country to reach a title match of a major since 2009.
“Having that run at the US Open. It gives me a lot of confidence that I’ve been here before, and I’ve played the pressure matches,” he said.
“I don’t think anything’s going to get more stressful than me playing Frances in New York for a spot in the final.”
Perhaps it might not be as stressful, but Alcaraz will certainly be a challenge on Thursday.
