Tiafoe topples Fritz to lift biggest prize of his career

Frances Tiafoe dominated from the start as he became the first American to win the ATP Halle title with a 6-4, 6-4 thrashing of compatriot Taylor Fritz on Sunday.

The 2023 winner on German grass in Stuttgart  needed just 67 minutes to dominate Fritz, who was far from his best after reaching two finals in two weeks – and losing both to countrymen.

Tiafoe backed up his Stuttgart quarter-final last week with a solid display here, beating three top 10 opponents – Roland Garros finalist Flavio Cobolli, Felix Auger-Alaissime and Fritz – at the same event for the first time in his career

The winner set up a pair of match points with a backhand down the line before converting on his first chance in a battle of North American ball strikers.

Tiefoe credited his success to a higher power, noting his favourite scripture after the win.

“I’ve lost a lot of 500-level finals – Vienna, Tokyo, Alcapulco – so this is big,” the winner said.

“A few weeks ago I had one of the toughest losses of my career at the French Open (nealry five and a half hours against Matteo Arnaldi), but I had a good week in Stuttgart and I won my biggest title here.”

Tiafoe never faced a break point and sent down right aces in victory.

“I returned really well today, I didn’t have any trouble serving during the entire match. It feels really good to get this done.”

The winner said he played “a clean match” and characterised Fritz as “a hell of a competitor.”

“I played some good tennis and had some luck along the way.

“I’m excited for Wimbledon, but I will take this all in first: see you in a week, SW 19.”

Tiafoe lost just seven points on serve in his rout of his good friend.ament. He broke his curse of losing all four finals he had played above the ATP 250 level.

Main photo:- Frances Tiafoe with Halle Trophy ©ATPTour.com