Taylor Fritz downs Sebastian Korda in Monte Carlo to end 14 year drought

Indian Wells Masters Champion Taylor Fritz is into the quarter-finals of Monte Carlo Masters after defeating fellow American Sebastian Korda in straight sets, simultaneously breaking a 14 year drought. 

Fritz, who nearly suffered a shock defeat to wildcard and World number 430 Lucas Catarina in the opening round, wrapped up the victory in 1 hour and 33 minutes to claim his first ever quarter-final spot at the Monte Carlo Masters. Despite suffering the third round defeat, Sebastian Korda has also had a memorable tournament as he defeated Miami Open winner and teen sensation Carlos Alacaraz in the previous round.

The match was a tightly contested affair with the first set going with the serve and five games being served to love. It was the tenth seed who prevailed and edged the first set taking it 7-6(4).

The second set followed a similar pattern with both players holding serve comfortably. However in the 12th game, Fritz was able to gain the decisive break to take the lead at 6-5. Fritz, who had a 67% success rate and 85% win rate on his first serve in the second set, continued this form in his final service game – holding his nerve to seal a memorable victory.

This result means that Taylor Fritz is the first American singles quarter-finalist at the Monte Carlo Masters since Sam Querrey in 2008. For a place in the semi-finals, he is set to face Novak Djokovic’s victor Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The young Spaniard has had a sensational tournament, beating former World number seven David Goffin in the previous round to secure his place in the quarter-finals.

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