Taylor Fritz topples two-time Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev in stunning five-set comeback to keep Wimbledon dream alive
- Taylor Fritz turned things around after dropped the opening two sets to Zverev
- The 13th seed's victory sealed his progression to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon
Taylor Fritz produced a stunning comeback on Centre Court Monday to defeat two-time Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev in five sets.
The 13th seed turned things around after dropping the opening two sets to progress to the Wimbledon quarterfinals with a 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-3 win over the German.
The 26-year-old from California equaled his career-best showing at a major tournament, while his stunning girlfriend Morgan Riddle watched on at SW19.
'The thing was I still felt I was playing really well for being down two sets,' Fritz said in a post-match interview.
'I was just thinking it sucked to be playing this well and to lose in straights. So let's take the third, I took it one at a time. I had that belief. It was just a couple of point here and there.'
Taylor Fritz produced a stunning comeback on Centre Court to defeat Alexander Zverev
The Californian turned things around after dropping the first two sets the Zverev (pictured)
The match, played with the retractable Centre Court roof shut, was the 35th to go five sets at the All England Club this year, tying the record for the most at any Slam event in the Open era, which began in 1968.
And Fritz´s comeback is the 11th from a two-set deficit in this edition of Wimbledon, more than in any other year.
The fourth-seeded Zverev was the runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at the French Open last month. He also lost in the final of the 2020 US Open against Dominic Thiem.
The German entered Monday having won all nine sets he had played at Wimbledon this year and held in all 41 of his service games. But Fritz broke him one time each in the third and fifth sets.
Fritz carried all the momentum after winning the fourth set on a tiebreak, while Zverev slumped, seemingly fatigued, during the decisive fifth.
Fritz's girlfriend Morgan Riddle watched on as the US tennis star downed the fourth seed
Zverev played with a gray sleeve on left knee, which he hurt during a fall in his previous match.
When it ended, Fritz threw his head back and let out a yell, before meeting Zverev at the net for an extended chat.
Fritz joined countryman Tommy Paul in the final eight, giving the United States two men that deep in the tournament for the first time since 2000.
Fritz´s quarterfinal opponent will be No. 25 Lorenzo Musetti. No. 9 Alex de Minaur now plays seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic or No. 15 Holger Rune, who were scheduled to meet in Monday night´s last match on Centre Court.
