Taylor Fritz explains what he did to get ‘out of danger’ and reach the Shanghai Masters round of 16

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Taylor Fritz was pleased with how he dealt with all the challenges during his Shanghai Masters third round match.

The 26-year-old took on qualifier Yosuke Watanuki on Tuesday morning with a spot in the round of 16 on the line.

The American was hoping for a stronger performance, as Fritz needed two tiebreaks to defeat another qualifier in Terence Atmane to begin his campaign.

Watanuki fought hard but it was Fritz who was solid when he needed to be in order to book his place in the next round.

What did Taylor Fritz do well against Yosuke Watanuki at the Shanghai Masters?

Taylor Fritz has reached the round of 16 at the Shanghai Masters for the first time after beating Watanuki 6-3, 6-4.

For the second successive year, the World number seven played the Japanese at the Shanghai Masters and once again, Fritz claimed the win.

It was more comfortable than their three-set battle a year ago, as Fritz did his best to overcome another stern test from Watanuki.

Post-match, the American explained how his serve was able to help out of some awkward situations as he saved three of the four break points he faced and won 77% of his first serve points.

“I feel like I did a lot of things really well. I did a good job of returning the second serve, playing some big points well,” Fritz said during his on-court interview. “When I was in danger on my serve I came with a good serve, played a good point.

“I also felt like I wasn’t afraid to be aggressive on some balls that maybe sometimes I play a bit safer, so all in all I’m pretty happy with everything.”

Taylor Fritz is looking for his first Masters 1000 title of the season in Shanghai

Fritz achieved his best result at a Grand Slam by reaching his first US Open final in September.

He has claimed two titles this year in Delray Beach and Eastbourne, but American is searching for his first Masters 1000 title of the year.

Fritz has not won a tournament at this level since he ended Rafael Nadal’s unbeaten start to the 2022 season by winning that year’s Indian Wells Masters.

He has not yet played his best tennis at hard court Masters 1000 this year, but Fritz is hoping he can finish the season with some strong hard court performances at this level.