Taylor Fritz achieved two main objectives as he pocketed the eighth title of his career by winning the Eastbourne International for a third time, the first male player to do so, a result which lifts him back as the American No.1, a spot he lost to Tommy Paul a week ago!
I don’t know what it is. There’s something about this place, but I really love it. It’s so great to see all the love. I just love being in Eastbourne and having this week before Wimbledon. Taylor Fritz
He defeated the Aussie Max Purcell 6-4 6-3 in 70-minutes dominating the Australian qualifier with his serve, which hadn’t been broken all week.
However, he revealed he wasn’t completely happy despite making history at Devonshire Park with his third triumph in five years, as an injury he picked up during the French Open was still giving him concern and laughed the suggestion he was playing the best grass-court tennis of his life.
“No. Honestly, no,” he replied. “I had an injury at the French Open and I still feel like I’m recovering from it. I’m still moving out of the corners not as fast as I think I could.
“But that’s why I’m here playing on grass. It’s something I guess I can make work on grass, as long as I’m serving well.”
And serving well he certainly was.as none of his four opponents were able to capture it during his run to reclaiming the title.
“I’d definitely say this might be the best I’ve been serving on grass though, for sure,” Fritz added
The American served nine aces in the final but had to wait for Hawk-Eye to confirm his victory, after a vicious forehand was erroneously called out by the umpire at championship point.
“I’m pumped,” he continued. “I always feel like I play well here. I just had that feeling coming into the week as well and I did a great job.
“I don’t know what it is. There’s something about this place, but I really love it. It’s so great to see all the love. I just love being in Eastbourne and having this week before Wimbledon.”
(Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Meanwhile in Mallorca, Alejandro Tabilo also made history by becoming the first Chilean to win a grass court title in the Open Era.
The fourth seed’s 6-3 6-4 Mallorca Championships final victory over Austria’ Sebastian Ofner brought the 27-year-old his second career title of the season and his career.
With the win, there are now two Chileans inside the world’s top 20 for the first time since 2005 and he leapfrogs his countryman Nicolas Jarry in the world rankings and will be confirmed at 19.
“It’s an unreal feeling,” Tabilo said after his triumph. “It’s an unbelievable year. All the support of all the Chileans at home, my team, my girlfriend.
“It’s been very nice, this whole level I’ve been playing. Hopefully I can keep it up and just keep showing what I can do.”
