Fritz produces out-of-this-world level to clinch first title of 2023
ATP
Taylor Fritz played very well the whole week at the 2023 Delray Beach Open, but the level that he produced in the final was extraordinary.
The 25-year-old American defeated Emiliano Gomez, Adrian Mannarino, and Mackenzie McDonald without dropping a set to reach the final at the ATP 250 event in Delray Beach.
In the final, Fritz took on Miomir Kecmanovic, who also had a good week and defeated the American the last time they met. That match happened at the Miami Open last year, with the Serbian winning 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Coincidentally, all of their matches were played in the United States, as they met in Newport Beach, Atlanta, Indian Wells, Miami, and now Delray Beach.
Despite beating Fritz before, the Serbian couldn't prepare for the level that his opponent flew into the final match in Delray Beach with. In the first set, the American lost only two points on his serve and he was very impressive also when returning.
Overall, Fritz hit 15 winners in the first set and made only one unforced error, resulting in a swift 6-0 win in just 25 minutes.
The American continued hitting winners in the second set as well, but this time, his opponent joined him, too. In the eighth game, Fritz had two break points, and in the tenth, he had a match point, but he couldn't use his chances.
On the other hand, Kecmanovic used his first chance to break the World No. 7 in the eleventh game, and despite his extraordinary level, he tied the match at one set all after winning the second set 7-5.
But Fritz was unstoppable on Sunday evening. He stepped up his game in the third set once again to win the match 6-0, 5-7, 6-2, while hitting 43 winners and making only 11 unforced errors to win his first ATP title of the 2023 season.
