Taylor Fritz Sets Up Semi-Final Against Novak Djokovic
Locker Room
November 17, 2022
Taylor Fritz is on fire! And now he faces the ultimate end-of-season test.
He just beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 to book a date with Novak Djokovic in the last four.
We warned you the American was making great strides towards achieving something special.
Now the 25-year-old is really starting to fulfil his potential.
Taylor Fritz can go deep at Wimbledon 2023 – and that prospect will delight American fans.
In fact, Fritz has the sort of charisma we can all enjoy. Movie-star looks and true grit when the chips are down. No wonder he’s developing a huge following worldwide.
Wimbledon 2023 can’t wait to welcome a genuine American contender once more. He reached the last eight this year, only to be edged out in a thriller by Rafal Nadal.
But it’s Nadal who is going home early in this tournament, despite his 7-5, 7-5 win over Casper Ruud on Thursday.
And it’s Fritz who marches on to greater challenges in northern Italy, to the surprise of so many.
Wimbledon 2023 is of course everyone’s long-term goal. To do well there represents the biggest tennis dream, because Wimbledon is the spiritual home of tennis – and Centre Court is the most atmospheric arena.
To win the title at the All England Club, Taylor Fritz will probably have to beat the great Novak Djokovic.
And that’s precisely the gargantuan task Taylor has in their Turin semi-final on Saturday.
But even if he can’t overcome Djokovic this weekend, Fritz will learn from the experience.
There will be timely reminders in this coming contest of what weapons the underdog might need to bring to the fight in London in July, in order to get the job done.
As he reflected on his victory over his Canadian friend on Thursday, Taylor knew what had earned his success: ‘I needed to serve well the whole match.
‘I was one away from break points so many times and I had to stay patient and not get too frustrated – then capitalise at the end.’
He did just that, despite squandering a 4-2 lead in the second-set tie-break. In a nervy final set, Fritz was first to cut loose and relax, while Felix faltered.
He didn’t look back and was soon writing “semi-final!” on the television camera to celebrate his remarkable journey.
Taylor Fritz has a taste for the big-time and Wimbledon 2023 awaits in joyous July.
For now, the coming clash with Djokovic occupies all his thoughts.
‘It’s huge!’ he said, reflecting on what he has already achieved at these ATP World Tour Finals. ‘To go from not even being in it, to reaching the semis – I’m super-happy.’
So how can he trouble Djokovic, a player he has never beaten? Taylor Fritz knows he will have to bring his A-game and then some.
‘It goes without saying I have to serve really well,’ he said. ‘Lucky for me, it feels like the serve has been strong.
‘I have to return well too, and when the opportunities come, I have to take them. I can’t waste opportunities against Novak.’
Whatever happens, the experience will do him good. The tennis world can’t wait for this one. And the USA has a new hero to cheer against the best on the planet.
Will you be doing just that at Wimbledon 2023? We can make sure you’re there on Centre Court in some of the best seats on the house!