American Teenager Makes Semifinal Round At Memphis
American teenager Taylor Fritz beat Benjamin Becker of Germany 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (5) to reach the semifinals of the Memphis Open.
The 18-year-old Fritz becomes the youngest American to reach an ATP semifinal since 1989.
“It’s incredible, I can’t believe it,” Fritz said Friday night. “To come back in that way, with him serving for the match, I’ll never forget that.
“I told myself that the balls were worn out, and that I just had to make him play. I tried to make him beat me under pressure.”
Fritz continued his run at The Racquet Club in Memphis, Tenn., by using his big serve and strong forehand to advance to his first career ATP semifinal. He is the youngest American since Michael Chang won Wembley in 1989 at the age of 17.
Fritz fired 13 aces and saved six of 11 break points in the two-hour, 20-minute battle.
Facing the rising star in the semifinals will be Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, who held off third-seeded American Donald Young 7-6 (3), 6-1.
