Taylor Fritz didn't get to set up an all-American semifinal match at the 2023 Stuttgart Open after losing to Marton Fucsovics.
Before the tall American stepped onto the court in the German city, another player from the United States left it in a victorious mood. It was the third-seeded Frances Tiafoe who's on the verge of a Top 10 breakthrough on the ATP Tour, and he certainly expected fellow American in the semifinals.
But the second-seeded Fritz faced a difficult task against Marton Fucsovics, despite beating the Hungarian twice already in 2023. Moreover, the World No. 86 played two difficult three-set matches, but he managed to eliminate Denis Shapovalov from the event.
Eyeing another surprising result, Fucscovics started the match in a best way possible, breaking his opponent's serve and never giving a chance to break back. Despite hitting only one ace, the Hungarian won 93% of points after his first serve in the first set, and thanks to that, he was able to win it 6-4.
But Fritz certainly didn't travel to Stuttgart just to take part and lose in the quarterfinals of the tournament. According to his coach, the American believes to be one of the best grass-court players in the world, and he was out on the court to prove that.
The second seed had one break point in the eighth game of the second set, but he couldn't use his chance. On the other hand, Fucsovics converted his fifth of the set in the eleventh game, but serving out the match wasn't so easy.
The Hungarian was obviously nervous, and Fritz had multiple chances. But he never got to a break point and after an hour and 42 minutes, Fucsovics won the match 6-4, 7-5 to set up a meeting with another American, this time the third-seeded Frances Tiafoe.
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