Taylor Fritz says he is still searching for his best game after winning his opening match at the Eastbourne International.
The American is competing on the southeast coast of England in the week leading up to the Wimbledon Championships.
Following his quarter-final exit at Queen’s the 26-year-old is aiming to build some form ahead of tennis’ most prestigious tournament.
He made a promising start by defeating Thiago Seyboth Wild in straight sets to advance to the Eastbourne quarter-finals.
Taylor Fritz aiming for improvements in Eastbourne ahead of Wimbledon
Fritz may be searching for a higher level of tennis but his serve was impeccable throughout his Eastbourne contest with Wild.
He fired 15 aces and made 81% of his first serves. He also dropped just five points on serve as he recorded a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over the Brazilian.
Post-match Fritz spoke about wanting to improve his level after being unhappy with his defeat to Jordan Thompson at Queen’s.
“In the first set it gets tight and it can go either way when you get to a ‘breaker, but I really didn’t see any opportunities where I could have gotten a break; he was serving well… I just had to get through the tie-breaker, take care of my serve and wait for my chances,” he said.
“I know no matter what I can come here and start feeling good. It gives me a lot of confidence. Winning two matches last week was my best result at Queen’s, but I wasn’t super happy with the last match I played, so I still want to play better.”
Has Taylor Fritz won the Eastbourne title?
Fritz has claimed the Eastbourne International title on two occasions.
The first came in 2019 when he defeated compatriot and former World number 11 Sam Querrey 6-3, 6-4 to claim his first grass court title.
Three years later Fritz regained the trophy and once again defeated an American in the final. On this occasion it was Maxime Cressy.
In a trickier encounter, Fritz won 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 and following on from this success he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the first time, where he lost to an injured Rafael Nadal in five pulsating sets.
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