The top seed Taylor Fritz is yet to lose a set in Delray Beach. The American took down Emilio Gomez in the second round and ousted Adrian Mannarino 7-6, 6-4 in the quarter-final to find himself in the last four. Fritz and Mannarino are now tied at two wins each, with the American taking their latest two duels.
Taylor hard to work hard to claim this one, trailing 3-1 in the opener and facing a set point in the tie break. The American stayed focused, clinched the set and broke the rival’s resistance in the opening stages of the second.
Fritz won six points more and prevailed in the crucial moments. He saved four out of six break points and scored three breaks to emerge at the top. The Frenchman had the upper hand in the mid-range and most advanced rallies, and the American erased the deficit with a better performance in the shortest range up to four strokes.
Taylor Fritz defeated Adrian Mannarino in the Delray Beach quarter-final.
A left-hander made a great start and forced the rival’s mistake at 1-1 to secure an early break of serve. Mannarino confirmed the break with a backhand winner in game four and created more opportunities in the next one.
Taylor saved two break points in game five and broke back a few minutes later after Adrian’s wayward forehand. Both players served well in the rest of the set, and the Frenchman held after deuce at 5-6 to introduce a tie break.
Taylor earned two mini-breaks and forged a 5-3 lead after forcing the rival’s mistake. Mannarino faced two set points at 4-6 and defended both with brave hitting to extend the action. Adrian denied the third set point at 6-7 with a volley winner and moved 8-7 up for his set point.
Fritz erased it and clinched the fourth set point at 9-8 after Mannarino’s forehand mistake. With a boost on his side, Taylor landed a forehand down the line winner in the second set’s third game for a break of serve. The American secured another return game at 4-2 to extend the lead and serve for the victory.
Mannarino made one last push and pulled one break back with a drop shot winner. The Frenchman held at love in game nine to reduce the deficit to 5-4 and prolong his chances. However, the top seed sealed the deal with a hold at 15 in game ten for a place in the last four.
