Thrilling Quarterfinal Match at the National Bank Open
In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Taylor Fritz triumphed over sixth seed Andrey Rublev, clinching a 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory on Tuesday night. The American, seeded second and ranked fourth in the ATP standings, showcased impressive serving skills, delivering a total of 20 aces, including a decisive one that secured his win.
Upcoming Matches and Semifinal Lineup
Fritz will now await the results of another quarterfinal clash between fourth seed Ben Shelton from the United States and ninth seed Alex de Minaur of Australia, who were set to compete later that evening. Meanwhile, the other semifinal matchup has top seed Alexander Zverev, a previous champion of the tournament in 2017, facing off against eleventh seed Karen Khachanov from Russia. The tournament final is slated for Thursday.
Match Highlights
The match commenced under hazy skies with breezy conditions, as Fritz struck three aces right out of the gate. He quickly established dominance over Rublev, breaking his serve early and securing the initial eight points of the match. As he raced to a 4-1 lead with two more aces, Fritz ultimately controlled the set with a strong service game.
Now eyeing his 11th ATP title and hoping to add a second Masters 1000 trophy to his collection, Fritz encountered some resistance in the second set. After initially breaking Rublev while the score was tied at 4-4, he faced a comeback from the Russian, who held serve to claim a 6-5 lead. However, Fritz maintained his composure and pushed the match into a tiebreaker, where he emerged victorious.
Recent Performances and Future Prospects
Notably, Fritz’s recent performances have included a semifinal exit at Wimbledon against world number two, Carlos Alcaraz. The tournament has seen several high-profile withdrawals this year, including top players like Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper, and Novak Djokovic, as the event is set to expand over two weeks starting in 2025.
Rublev’s Disappointment
For Rublev, last night’s defeat marks a disappointing chapter after reaching the finals in the same tournament last year, where he was bested by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. His recent endeavors in the Grand Slams included fourth-round appearances at both Wimbledon and the French Open this season.
