Google News
World no. 9 Taylor Fritz skipped the Davis Cup Qualifiers tie between the USA and Ukraine in Vilnius. Taylor should have played the second singles tie on Thursday, revealing a hip injury and staying away from the court to recover.
Fritz is 5-3 in the Davis Cup, competing through the entire campaign in 2022 and winning three out of five singles ties. Taylor kept the USA alive in the 2022 Davis Cup Finals quarter-final against Italy, beating Lorenzo Musetti before his teammates dropped a decisive doubles clash.
Fritz's next tournament should come in Delray Beach on February 12, entering the home event as the top seed.
Taylor Fritz is not ready to play against Ukraine in Vilnius.
The American is 5-2 in 2024, winning one match at the United Cup before reaching the Australian Open quarter-final, competing in the last eight at Majors for the second straight time.
Taylor met last year's finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round and produced a rock-solid 7-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 victory in three hours and one minute, achieving his best result in Melbourne. After dropping the first 11 encounters against the top-10 rivals at Majors, Fritz produced a fine performance to notch the first win over Tsitsipas.
The American served at 70% and made the difference with his first serve, backed by impressive movement and defensive skills. Taylor landed 50 winners and 19 unforced errors, taking charge from the third set and leaving his rival behind.
Tsitsipas grabbed two breaks and needed more to stay in contention after getting broken four times, losing ground after taking the second set to end his run in the fourth round. Fritz faced the ultimate challenge in the quarter-final, with a ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic standing on the other side of the net.
Taylor gave everything in a 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 7-3 loss after grueling three hours and 45 minutes.
They stayed on the court for two hours and 23 minutes in the opening two sets, splitting them and pushing each other to the limits.
Novak saved a set point in the opener, prevailing in the tie break before losing serve once in the second set. Fritz showed incredible clutch in the opening two sets, defending all 15 break chances against the greatest returner ever.
The conditions on the court improved from the third set with the sun going down, and Novak raised his level. Djokovic delivered four breaks and kept Fritz behind, ending his valiant resistance and moving on.