Fritz Fires 22 Aces, Books Spot in Dallas Open Final
Dallas, TX – Top seed Taylor Fritz showcased his formidable serving prowess on Saturday, hammering an impressive 22 aces to overcome a resilient Marin Cilic in the semi-finals of the Nexo Dallas Open. The American will now compete for the title on home soil, facing either his compatriot Ben Shelton or defending champion Denis Shapovalov in Sunday's championship match.
The gripping two-hour, two-minute semi-final clash was a masterclass in serving dominance, with neither player managing to secure a single break of serve. In a match decided by the finest of margins, Fritz ultimately held his nerve, edging Cilic 7-6(5), 7-6(3) in a tightly contested affair.
Serve Dominance Defines Thrilling Semi-Final
Fritz, who has been a consistent force on the ATP Tour, credited his calm demeanor for his exceptional serving performance. "Just really calm serving. I think that's the biggest thing when I feel calm and relaxed, I serve well," Fritz stated in his on-court interview. This composure was evident throughout the match, as he never faced a break point on his own serve.
The statistics underscored the serving battle. Fritz's 22 aces dwarfed Cilic's 16, with four of Fritz's aces coming in the crucial first-set tie-break. According to Infosys ATP Stats, Fritz maintained an astonishing 86% success rate on his first serves, winning 48 out of 56 points.
Despite creating five break-point opportunities himself, Fritz was unable to convert. However, his unwavering confidence on serve proved to be the decisive factor. "That’s something every tennis player experiences when you’re the one in the opponent’s service games," Fritz reflected. "You have some chances, you’re cruising on your service games and all of a sudden they get one break point, you’ll probably win it. You’ll go to the tie-break, all of a sudden some returns came back and I just told myself to be really ready in that tie-break."
Fritz Aims for Home Soil Glory
This victory extends Fritz's head-to-head advantage over Cilic to 3-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. More significantly, it marks his first final appearance on home soil since reaching the US Open final in 2024, a testament to his growing stature in American tennis.
For Marin Cilic, the semi-final run represented a significant resurgence. The Croatian veteran was aiming to reach his first final at the ATP 250 level or higher since his Queen's Club title in 2018. While falling short of the final, his performance in Dallas has seen him climb 18 spots to No. 43 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, signaling a return to form.
Looking Ahead to the Championship Match
The Dallas Open final promises to be an exciting conclusion to the tournament. Fritz, carrying the hopes of the home crowd, will face a challenging opponent in either the explosive young talent Ben Shelton or the experienced and defending champion Denis Shapovalov. Regardless of who emerges from the other semi-final, Fritz's commanding serve and evident confidence make him a formidable contender for the Dallas Open trophy.
The Nexo Dallas Open, a key event on the ATP Tour calendar, continues to deliver thrilling tennis and memorable moments, showcasing the depth of talent in the men's game. Fans are anticipating a high-octane final, with Fritz's powerful game style poised to make a significant impact.
