Taylor Fritz rallied from two sets to one down to beat Facundo Diaz Acosta 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 reaching the second round at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Fritz had a scary moment in the second set when he fell and rolled on his ankle and needed a medical time-out.
Diaz Acosta earned an early break in the seventh game to win the first set 6-4. Fritz broke serve in the fourth game to seal the second set 6-3. Fritz saved two break points to hold serve after five games. Diaz Acosta fended off two break points in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Diaz Acosta broke serve in the eighth game to close out the third set 6-3.
Fritz went up a break twice in the second and fourth games of the fourth set, but Diaz Acosta pulled back on serve both times. Fritz earned two more breaks in the sixth and eighth games to clinch the fourth set 6-2.
Fritz broke in the fourth game of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead. Diaz Acosta broke straight back in the fifth game in the fifth game. Fritz sealed the win with a break at love.
Fritz set up a second round match against either Roberto Carballes Baena or lucky loser Hugo Gaston.
“It was a really crazy match. I wasn’t sure fully ready for that. I am happy now they put on me on a Sunday start because I will need two days off to rest a really physical match. I heard the ankle pop and it hurt pretty bad at first. Sometimes you just need you just need a minute but this one I definitely needed to get it taped up”, said Fritz.
