Brilliant Fritz downs favourite Schwartzman to reach UTS4 final

UTS4 – Final Four

Fritz beats Schwartzman 16-14, 14-13, 17-15

• What happened: Taylor Fritz beat Diego Schwartzman 3-0 to reach the UTS4 final.
• You will also learn: The Hotshot was on fire from the start as he romped to victory.
• Why you should read this article: Fritz will take on either Cristian Garin or Corentin Moutet in the final later on Tuesday.

Taylor Fritz lived up to his nickname of The Hotshot as he upset the favourite Diego Schwartzman – El Peque – 3-0 to reach the final of UTS4.

The American unleashed a barrage of big hitting to clinch a 16-14, 14-13, 17-15 victory and set up a final against either El Tanque, Cristian Garin, or Corentin Moutet, The Tornado from France.

“I’m so happy,” Fritz said. “I came out just hitting the ball much better than in my other matches. I kind of expected that because I had the three matches to get used to the conditions. I think if I’d played Diego in my first match I wouldn’t have been able to beat him because I wouldn’t have had that rhythm.”

The Hotshot makes a hot start

With Schwartzman having a quick turnaround, Fritz was keen to make a fast start and he did just that, crunching forehands from the baseline and attacking the Argentinian’s serve at every attempt.

Schwartzman did what he could to stay in touch and at one stage, found himself within two points but despite a late rally of four straight points, Fritz held on to take it 16-14.

Fritz down but still up

Fritz took a tumble early in the second quarter and trailed 6-4 but came up with some more stunning shot-play as he moved ahead again.

The Hotshot can also be “Not so hot.” 😥#UTS4 pic.twitter.com/V3t7INRs5Q

— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) May 25, 2021

The rest of the quarter was nip and tuck throughout, though, with Schwartzman playing the most deft of drop shots to make it 13-13 with enough time left for only one point. That point turned out to be an epic rally between the two men but Fritz finally forced an opening with a big forehand and then finished it off with another, with the help of a flick off the net cord.

“I don’t really want to talk right now, I’m still breathing,” an exhausted Fritz said.

Fritz finishes the job in style

When Schwartzman took a 6-3 lead in the third quarter, the stage was set for another comeback from the Argentinian but a poor choice of UTS cards cost him dearly.

Leading 11-9, Schwartzman then double-faulted and Fritz went on a run of five straight points to take control, finishing things off in style for a 3-0 win.

“Moutet beat me in my first match here so I’d like a little bit of revenge,” Fritz said.