ATP
Fritz takes his time to return to Swiss quarters
Taylor Fritz filled in an eight-year gap as the American returned to the Swiss Indoor quarter-finals for the first time since 2018 with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Denis Shapovalov on Thursday in Basel.
Fritz has stalled in the second round in three subsequent appearances at the St Jakobshalle, once the fiefdom of hometowner Roger Federer.
Sixth seed Fritz will next play second seeded Arthur Fils, who booked his spot 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) over Alex Michelsen.
Fritz, who first played Canada’s Shapo in 2014 a the Orange Bowl junior event, turned 29 this week.
He finished off victory with 18 winners as he reached his ninth quarter-final of 2026.
“I’m feeling good about my serving and returning this season, especially indoors,” he said.
“Against Fils I’ll have to play well, he has a very good serve. I need to play aggressive and solid from the ground.
“I did a good job of that today.”