Defender Alex de Minaur lost to Taylor Fritz in three sets in the ATP 250 semi-finals on grass in Eastbourne. He will face fellow American Maxime Crissy for the title.
Marcin Mutica
Getty Images/Mike Hewitt/Pictured: Taylor Fritz
Since the 2014 season and Feliciano Lopez’s achievement, no tennis player has defended his ATP title in Eastbourne. This year, Alex de Minaur comes close to such an opportunity. The Australian sixth-seeded lost two victories. In the semi-finals he was stopped by Taylor Fritz, losing to the American 1: 6, 7: 6 (5), 3: 6.
“It’s amazing,” said Fritz, quoted by atptour.com, who is not yet broke this week. It was a tough start to the grass season, but since I’ve been here I feel like I’m playing at a good level and have more confidence.
For the 24-year-old from California, this is the eighth promotion to the ATP Tour Final in his career. So far he has won two awards – this season at Indian Wells and three years ago at Eastbourne.
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The final opponent for third seed Fritz will be compatriot Maxime Crissy. The American sent 21 aces, did not lose his passes and after more than two and a half hours of battle won 7:6 (5), 6:7 (2), 6:3 against wild card holder Jacek Draper.
– This game was like a roller coaster ride. After the last ball, I was relieved. I’m incredibly happy and excited – said 25-year-old Chrissy, who will play for the main series title for the second time in his career (he lost to Rafael Nadal in January in Melbourne).
Fritz and Chrissy will face each other for the first time in the final on Saturday at 15:30 CET. This will be the third American final of the season. They both won previous Riley Opelka – in Dallas with Jenson Broxby and in Houston with John Isner.
Rothesay International, Eastbourne (UK)
ATP 250, grass field, total prize money of 697.4 thousand. euro
Friday 24 June
Singles semi-finals:
Taylor Fritz (USA, 3) beat Alex de Minaur (Australia, 6) 6-1 6 7 (5) 6-3.
Maxime Creasy (USA) beat Jack Draper (UK, WC) 7-6 (5) 6-7 (2) 6-3
The first final match on the grass of Stefanos Tsitsipas. Roberto Bautista stop the revelation
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WP SportoweFaktyUK Eastbourne Tennis ATP Eastbourne Taylor Fritz Alex de Minaur Jack Draper Maxime Crissy