World no. 4 Taylor Fritz ended his Canada Masters campaign in Toronto with the semi-final defeat to his compatriot, Ben Shelton, in straight sets. Taylor did not play well, facing too many break points and giving serve away three times.
While missing the title clash, the 27-year-old wrote American tennis history. By reaching the last eight, Fritz became the first American player with the quarter-final at all nine Masters 1000 events.
Twenty-two players have achieved the feat since 1990, and Taylor is the first to complete it for the greatest tennis nation. His first Masters 1000 quarter-final came only at 23 in Indian Wells four years ago.
One by one, Fritz collected quarter-finals at more tournaments and needed Canada to complete the collection. The American debuted in Canada in 2016. He had to wait until 2022 to secure his first win at the prestigious event.
Taylor reached the last 16 in 2022 and 2023, missing that final step and accomplishing it this week. World no. 4 faced Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round and prevailed 7-5, 7-6 after over two hours.
The favorite got broken two times and provided three breaks to emerge at the top and avoid a decider. Fritz played better against Gabriel Diallo, ousting the Canadian 6-4, 6-2 in under 80 minutes.
Taylor served well and delivered three breaks to emerge at the top and reach the last 16. He had to dig deep against Jiri Lehecka in a 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 56 minutes.
They were separated by two points. The two rivals denied all 14 break points and went down to the wire in the most thrilling match of the tournament. The American saved six break points in the opener.
He served well in the tie break and secured two mini-breaks for 7-4. Lehecka saved a late break point in the second set and clinched the tie break 7-5 to force a decider and extend a thriller.
They embraced another tie break in the final set and stood locked at 5-5. The American stepped in and clinched the final two points, moving over the top and writing American tennis history.
Taylor went a step further after beating Andrey Rublev before falling in straight sets to his compatriot, Ben Shelton.
