Washington Open: Fokina stuns top seed Fritz in thriller
An electrifying match unfolded in the quarterfinals of the Washington Open. Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina knocked out top seed Taylor Fritz in a truly epic showdown.
The American led 5-2 in the deciding set but then lost 5 straight games.
Even though Fritz hit 20 aces, it was the Spaniard who raised his hands in triumph after a real thriller: 7-6, 3-6, 7-5. In the semifinals, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will face another American, Ben Shelton. In perhaps the most anticipated quarterfinal match, Shelton defeated fellow American Frances Tiafoe, 7-6, 6-4.
Daniil Medvedev, competing under a neutral flag, was eliminated by Frenchman Corentin Moutet, who prevailed 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. The Frenchman's success was all the more surprising given that the athlete from the Hexagon played the final set virtually "on one leg" due to major physical issues, which also explains Medvedev's visible frustration at the end. The final semifinal spot was secured by Australian Alex De Minaur, who swept past Brandon Nakashima, another American, with a double 6-4.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
