Taylor Fritz gave everything in the Miami Open semi-final against Jakub Mensik. World no. 4 did not lose his serve for almost two and a half hours, providing 17 holds! However, he still experienced a tight 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 defeat that left him mighty disappointed!
Taylor reflected on the match and acknowledged that he needed to perform better in two tie breaks and claim at least one. Losing both was challenging for him, and he candidly admitted that the loss sucked!
Fritz praised Mensik's game, particularly his powerful initial shot. The American noted the young gun's progress over the last year and a half, recalling their 2023 US Open clash.
The Americanrecognized that to counteract such a strong weapon, he needed to vary his returns more and break away from his usual patterns. Jakub collected five points more than Taylor. The American provided 17 holds and produced his only break at the beginning of the second set.
Mensik secured five mini-breaks and claimed both tie breaks to emerge at the top.They both hit more winners than unforced errors. The Czech landed 12 service winners more than the American and made the difference.
There were no break points in the opening set. Mensik landed a forehand winner at 4-4 in the tie break.He clinched it 7-4 to build an early advantage. Jakub suffered the only break in the first game of the second set after a backhand error.
Taylor served well in five games and hit an ace at 5-4 to wrap up the set and introduce a decider after an hour and a half. Fritz played his only loose service game at 1-2 in the final set. He saved them and held for 2-2 and more drama.
Mensik landed a forehand winner to reach a deuce on the return at 6-5, standing two points away from the finish line. However, Taylor held and introduced a tie break. They traded two mini-breaks in the opening five points.
Trailing 4-3, Jakub fired two winners and generated two match points when his rival missed a backhand.A teenager seized the first with a forced error, moving over the top and celebrating a notable victory.What's next for Mensik? The title clash against his idol, Novak Djokovic!
