"Honestly, the first three sets weren't very good," Fritz reflects on his US Open quarterfinal exit
Taylor Fritz will not be playing in a second consecutive US Open final. Despite a strong start to the tournament, the American fell to Novak Djokovic for the 11th time in as many meetings, at the quarterfinal stage (6-3, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4).
In a press conference, the world No. 4 looked back on his performance against the Serbian legend. The 27-year-old Fritz expressed regret over his lack of execution on break points (2/13 throughout the match).
"I had many more opportunities than what the statistics show in terms of break points, because I led 0-30, 15-30, 30-30 in many games. I just didn't play well in those moments.
Regarding the break points themselves, I'd say on the first 10, he saved them very well, and on probably 5 or 6 of them, there was nothing I could do.
On the others, maybe I just played poorly, being too cautious. I made bad decisions, I didn't play the way I wanted to. In those situations, under pressure, it becomes difficult to figure out what I really want to do.
Starting from the third set, I served much better, but I don't think I was more solid from the baseline than at the beginning of the match. Honestly, the first three sets weren't very good. The fourth was probably my best of the match.
But Novak (Djokovic) also played much better in the fourth set. The real difference between the third set and the first two is that I served well and converted my break point.
Usually, breaking once and then holding my serve is enough for me to win a set. But in the first two sets, that didn't happen," Fritz explained to the US Open media.
