London, UK – World No. 5 Taylor Fritz expressed significant relief after battling through a demanding five-set encounter against unseeded Canadian Gabriel Diallo in the second round of Wimbledon on Wednesday.1 The American, who also endured a marathon five-setter in his opening match, eventually prevailed under the lights on Court No. 1, showcasing resilience and patience.
The final score saw Fritz emerge victorious with 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(0), 4-6, 6-3 after a contest that stretched over three hours.2 This marks his second consecutive five-set win, totaling an astonishing 109 games across his first two matches.
A Hard-Fought Victory
Fritz acknowledged the immense challenge posed by Diallo, praising his opponent’s “incredible” play. “It was one of those matches where I’m not doing much wrong, I’m playing great tennis, and he’s still just going to be too tough for me,” Fritz stated post-match. He highlighted Diallo’s potent serve and returns, particularly noting the fourth set where he felt he did little wrong but still got broken.
The match was a serving clinic from both players, with Fritz delivering 27 aces and Diallo hitting 26. The turning point for Fritz in the third set was a dominant 7-0 tiebreak. Despite losing the fourth set, which included a medical timeout for Fritz due to a scraped elbow from a dive, the American’s experience in five-setters ultimately shone through in the decider. His 25th and 26th aces of the night served as the decisive blows, setting up and clinching double match point.
Diallo’s Impressive Performance
Despite the loss, Gabriel Diallo left a strong impression, pushing the higher-ranked Fritz to his absolute limit. “That’s an incredibly hard match. The fourth set that I lost, I don’t think I did a lot wrong,” Diallo echoed, acknowledging the demanding nature of the contest. The young Canadian, currently ranked No. 40, had previously won his first ATP title on grass this year and was coming off four matches in Eastbourne, making his Wimbledon run particularly arduous.
What’s Next for Fritz
After these back-to-back grueling victories, Fritz will certainly appreciate a well-deserved rest day. He awaits the winner of the suspended match between Botic van de Zandschulp and No. 26 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. That match currently stands at 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, 5-5 in the fourth set, promising another stern test for whoever emerges victorious to face Fritz in the third round.
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