Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman has received a boost ahead of the US Open later this month after winning the Los Cabos Open in Mexico.
The 27-year-old dug deep to see off America’s Taylor Fritz 7-6(6), 6-3, in what was a tough match. During the opening set, Schwartzman trailed 1-4 before battling back to draw level. Then he was forced to save three set points whilst trailing 5-6. Despite the scare, he prevailed in the tiebreak after converting his fourth set point opportunity. In the second set Schwartzman broke Fritz twice on route to victory.
“It is spectacular to have the title, very important for tournaments to come.” The new champion said afterwards in Spanish.
“It is the last 250 (event) that I play during the year, the last one that comes on the calendar. As of now there are 500 or 1000 Masters and a Grand Slam. So it is very important to achieve this title, to have the necessary confidence to know that I am doing things well on the court, that I am physically well, because to advance in the next tournaments I will have to win against the best in the world, and a title helps all that. ”
Schwartzman, who was the third seed in the tournament, won 67% of his first service points and 59% of his second during the final. It is his third title on the ATP tour and his first on a hard court. The latest victory is set to elevate him back into the world’s 25 to roughly 23rd in the world when the rankings are updated on Monday.
There is also reason for Fritz to celebrate, who was visibly disappointed about the outcome of the match. It is the second consecutive tournament where the American has reached the final after Atlanta. Fritz has won 14 out of his last 17 matches played on the tour.
“This final and last week’s final definitely helped my classification (ranking), but winning this tournament would have helped to advance even more, so I’m really disappointed.” He said.
“I made mistakes that I wouldn’t normally make and then I tried to fight back and I just wasn’t playing well. I had opportunities in the first and did not take advantage of them.’
“I want to return next year, I love this tournament a lot, it means a lot to me, that’s why I’m much more upset and disappointed than usual.” He added.
Both player’s will now head to Canada to play in the Roger’s Cup, which is the first Masters 1000 leading up to the US Open. Schwartzman will play Italy’s Marco Cecchinato in his opening match and Fritz faces Herbert Hurkacz.
Schwartzman exits Los Cabos with 250 ATP Ranking points and $131,430 in prize money.
