TENNIS UPDATE AS TAYLOR FRITZ CONTINUES TO FLY IN MEMPHIS, NADAL TO FACE THIEM IN BUENOS AIRES SEMIS

Written by: Resendiz on 12th February 2016

TENNIS UPDATE AS TAYLOR FRITZ CONTINUES TO FLY IN MEMPHIS, NADAL TO FACE THIEM IN BUENOS AIRES SEMIS |

Just 18 years old, promising American Taylor Fritz continued his meteoric rise with a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(5) victory over Benjamin Becker in the quarterfinals of the Memphis Open on Friday evening. Fritz broke back twice in the final set–including at 5-6–before prevailing after two hours and 20 minutes.

“I feel like I can compete at this level,” Fritz said.

Ya think?

He is already up to No. 145 in the world rankings and is expected to soar to 113th even if he loses in the Memphis semifinals to Ricardas Berankis. Fritz’s 2016 campaign includes a Challenger title (beat Dudi Sela in the final), successful qualification at the Australian Open (defeated Michael Berrer and Mischa Zverev), and a five-set loss to Jack Sock. In addition to his victory over Becker, the Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. native has also ousted Michael Mmoh and Steve Johnson. He is the youngest American to reach an ATP semifinal since a 17-year-old Michael Chang in 1989 (Wembley).

“It feels incredible,” Fritz assured. “You know, it’s a great milestone. I always say this is reassuring to know that I’m doing the right thing and I’m on the right track. But (I) got to just keep doing my own thing and not let all the milestones get in your head or anything like that.

“I can’t believe it; just an amazing feeling, especially after the match I just had coming back… [Becker] was serving for the match and to come back and win it in that way and tough it out, I’ll never forget that.”

At the Argentina Open, meanwhile, Rafael Nadal found the win column again with a 7-6(3), 6-2 defeat of Paolo Lorenzi on Friday. Nadal preceded that by beating Juan Monaco 6-4, 6-4 during second-round action.

Competition is likely to get even tougher in the form of Dominic Thiem. Their only previous meeting came at the 2014 French Open, where Nadal cruised 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. Fast forward more than a full season and Thiem is now a three-time ATP tournament champion and has climbed to No. 19 in therankings. All three of the 22-year-old Austrian’s titles have come at 250-point events on outdoor clay, such as this one in Buenos Aires. Thiem is two wins away from another winner’s trophy after taking out Pablo Carreno Busta, Gastao Elias (saved one match point), and Dusan Lajovic.

Donald Young of the US hits a return shot to Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania in the quarterfinals of the Memphis Open tennis championship at the Racquet Club of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, 12 February 2016. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

Results from Argentina Open (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

RESULTS – FRIDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2016

Singles – Quarter-finals

[1] [WC] R. Nadal (ESP) d P. Lorenzi (ITA) 76(3) 62

N. Almagro (ESP) d [3] J. Tsonga (FRA) 62 75

[5] D. Thiem (AUT) d D. Lajovic (SRB) 64 62

Doubles – Semi-finals

[1] J. Cabal (COL) / R. Farah (COL) d [3] D. Marrero (ESP) / F. Moser (GER) 46 63 10-6

Doubles – Quarter-finals

I. Cervantes (ESP) / P. Lorenzi (ITA) d G. Kretschmer (GER) / A. Satschko (GER) 46 64 10-6

SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2016

GUILLERMO VILAS start 12:00 noon