Taylor Fritz is fast proving that he is destined for the elite of men’s tennis. The eighteen year-old American defeated top seed Dudi Sela in the final of the Happy Valley Challenger 7-6, 6-2.
Fritz appeared lucky to win the first set, after winning less than half his second serve points. The american did though at least have a better first serve than his Israeli opponent, who could only manage a weak forty-five percent. Both players traded breaks of serve before engaging in a tiebreak. Fritz was forced to save set points, before pouncing to take the opener nine-seven.
Fritz settled early in the second set, and with the benefit of having won the first set, was able to break early. Sela continued to struggle with the first serve delivery, though he appeared vulnerable on both wings. Fritz broke again, and this time fended off three break points. He then emerged with a double break lead, as the top seed fell away. Fritz wrapped up an excellent set six-two. The match in total lasted seventy-eight minutes.
Fritz will see his ranking move up to around no. 150, though it comes to late to affect his position in the Australian Open Qualifying event, where he is unlikely to be seeded. Sela, who will be in the main draw of the Australian Open, will play in the Canberra Challenger event next week. He is not seeded, and starts against second seed Santiago Giraldo.
