Taylor Fritz advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time, overcoming a challenging match against Karen Khachanov, winning with scores of 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4). This match marked a significant milestone for the fifth-seeded Fritz, who had struggled in previous major quarterfinals with a record of 1-4, and a 0-2 history at Wimbledon prior to this victory.
Fritz began the match strongly, dominating the first two sets by winning 40 of his 47 service points, and he faced no break points in that stretch. However, Khachanov, who is ranked 17th, fought back to win eight of the following nine games, forcing Fritz to take a medical timeout to address a foot issue. Following this break, Khachanov gained an early advantage in the fourth set. Despite the challenges, Fritz found his rhythm again, showing resilience as he battled back from a 0-2 deficit in the fourth set, and came tantalizingly close to closing out the match several times.
The match turned to a gripping tiebreaker where Fritz showcased his powerful serve, finishing with an impressive 16 aces and hitting a top speed of 138 mph. This victory propels him forward to face either two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or unseeded Cam Norrie in the semifinals, presenting him with another opportunity to make history at Wimbledon.
This triumph not only signifies a notable personal achievement for Fritz but also brings hope for American tennis, reflecting a positive trajectory for players in international competitions. As he heads into the next match, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if he can continue this momentum.