Taylor Fritz Downs Monte Carlo Champion Tsitsipas!
Locker Room
April 14, 2023
Taylor Fritz just gets better and better. Now he has reached his first clay-court Masters 1000 semi-final.
By beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in emphatic style, he also took his first top-ten scalp on clay.
And with Novak Djokovic already out of the tournament, Fritz has every chance of taking the title.
The American superstar beat Tsitsipas – who regards Monte Carlo as his tennis heaven – with a dashing display in the sunshine.
The flamboyant Greek had won the last two tournaments by the sea – and he was on a twelve-match winning streak in the Principality.
Tsitsipas had won 22 of his last 23 matches here. But he was never really in this contest – and his two-year reign is over. He left the court quickly, ready to regroup for the European summer.
Fritz was unstoppable as he took their quarter-final clash 6-2, 6-4. By his own admission, he is growing in confidence everywhere he plays.
Taylor Fritz is already comfortable on grass – and he could take Wimbledon 2023 by storm!
American fans will flock to the historic home of tennis in big numbers to see their new hero.
The charismatic Fritz will enjoy thousands of adoring supporters at the All England Club.
Recent media exposure means he now has worldwide appeal – and the talent to match.
Taylor’s backhand was exquisite against Stefanos. And his forehand execution was simply too hot for the favourite to handle.
Even though the American struggled with his first serve in the first set, it didn’t seem to matter.
He was happy to end rallies with killer drop-shots too.
Now Fritz faces Andrey Rublev.
Taylor said: ‘I thought my level today was really high. I played a very good match. Beating Stef here is as much as I’m looking for. My confidence is high and it gives me the reassurance I need to play well on this surface.
‘Even in the pressure moments, I kept pulling the trigger to make sure he couldn’t unleash the forehand.
‘Rublev will be tough. He’s a great player and a good friend.’
Djokovic is no longer a contender. Lorenzo Musetti beat him 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the round of sixteen.
Taylor Fritz had better watch out for Djokovic hitting peak form at Wimbledon 2023, though!
What a match-up that would be on Centre Court in a few months’ time.
Will you be there? We can help make that dream come true.