Fritz Sees Off Isner, Makes Second Straight Final In Mexico
Taylor Fritz and Mexico: Name a more iconic duo! After overcoming fellow American John Isner by Houdiniesque margins (2-6, 7-5, 6-3 from 6-2, 4-2, 0-40 down), Fritz has now made the final of his last two ATP tour-level events in Mexico: Los Cabos 2019 and Acapulco 2020.
Taylor Fritz of the U.S.
Woody Allen once said that in sports, you’re never ahead of the dramatist. Did a seemingly flat and uninspired Taylor Fritz have this quote in mind when serving down 6-2, 4-2, 0-40 to John Isner — and more importantly, did he picture himself a winner (2-6, 7-5, 6-3) roughly an hour later?
On the edge of the cliff, the 22-year-old American fended off all three break points (that resembled match points) with some big under-pressure serving, then held. That’s when things began to unravel for Isner, who got broken right next to get back on serve, 4-4.
After going through the motions during the next three games, Fritz created a set opportunity for himself at 6-5, 30-40 on Isner’s serve. Then, a bird (yes, you read right) interrupted the play for at least two minutes (still reading right)…
Hey buddy, you know the rules…
🚫 No ticket = No tennis 🚫
🎥: @TennisTV | @AbiertoTelcel pic.twitter.com/toaw4P79ih
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 29, 2020
…before Isner failed to save the set point with a poor serve-and-volley attempt. One set apiece it was: 2-6, 7-5.
In the third set, Fritz kept building on his momentum and broke Isner again to take a 3-0 lead.
Didn't watch, so looking at stats, and I did not expect to ever see a match where Taylor Fritz broke John Isner 3 times in 4 service games
— Trenton Jocz (@TrentonJocz) February 29, 2020
The one-break advantage would prove enough for him to serve out the decider 6-3 and book his place in the Acapulco final (and the top 25 next Monday).
Taylor: MADE 💪@Taylor_Fritz97 rallies from a set and break down to take out John Isner 2-6 7-5 6-3 and reach his first 500-level final. #AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/DNucT02Kal
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 29, 2020
First 500 final and new career-high ranking inside Top 25 coming for Taylor Fritz. https://t.co/utm1MmtabH
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) February 29, 2020
For his second consecutive final on Mexican territory after Los Cabos last year (l. to Schwartzman), Fritz will take on the winner of Rafael Nadal v. Grigor Dimitrov, which will be played later in Acapulco.
As for Isner, he will have to wait to make an ATP tour-level final for the 11th year running.
