Taylor Fritz has boosted his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals after defeating Max Purcell 7-6(7) 7-6(4) in Basel.
The American is looking to overtake Holger Rune this week in the ATP Race To Turin rankings.
Currently Fritz sits in ninth place and a win for Rune yesterday put the third seed under pressure today.
However Fritz played some big points in crucial moments as he saved two set points in the opening set to move into the second round.
After the match Fritz reflected on his bid to qualify for Turin and spoke about his performance, “As far as where I’m at in the Race, I think I’m in a good spot,” Fritz told the ATP website.
“I have a pretty decent chance if I can come up with a big result one of these next two weeks [in Basel or Paris].
“I was lucky to win the first set. I played some really big points really well in important moments in the tie-break. I came up pretty clutch in the first set to take it. The second set I was serving well, I was returning better, and I just kind of got in my own way and made it pretty complicated. But I was lucky to refocus and play a good tie-break.”
Next for Fritz will be qualifier Alexander Shevchenko while Rune plays Sebastian Baez tomorrow.
Should Fritz and Rune both reach the semi-finals then an exciting showdown could await with the winner being in pole position to qualify for the end of season showdown.
ATP Race To Turin Rankings.
- Novak Djokovic – 8,945 (Q)
- Carlos Alcaraz – 8,445 (Q)
- Daniil Medvedev – 6,935 (Q)
- Jannik Sinner – 4,945 (Q)
- Andrey Rublev – 4,275
- Stefanos Tsitsipas – 3,740
- Alexander Zverev – 3,415
- Holger Rune – 3,145
- Taylor Fritz – 3,055
- Casper Ruud – 2,815
- Hubert Hurkacz – 2,810
- Tommy Paul – 2,620
- Alex De Minaur – 2,560
