On a dramatic Thursday in Miami, Taylor Fritz managed to edge out Matteo Berrettini, securing his spot in the semifinals for the first time in this tournament. Despite Berrettini’s relentless efforts to thwart him, Fritz’s resilience ultimately carried him through.
In what was a thrilling match, Berrettini showcased grit by saving six match points during a nerve-wracking second set, pushing Fritz to a decisive third set. However, the American, ranked fourth in the world, finally clinched victory with a score of 7-5, 6-7(7), 7-5.
Capturing the tense moment, a tweet from Tennis TV highlighted the pressure-filled environment as Berrettini saved multiple match points to enforce the decider. But it was Fritz who maintained his cool, setting himself up for another challenging match against Czech Jakub Mensik for a chance to enter the finals.
Reflecting on his win, Fritz commented, “I had two choices: dwell on missed opportunities and let frustration take over, or push on and claim the win. Thankfully, I chose the latter, and now, I can rest easy tonight.”
This victory not only solidifies Fritz’s 5-0 career record against Berrettini but also marks his entry into his sixth semifinal at a Masters 1000 event. Impressively, Fritz is now among a distinguished group of just 12 American men who have advanced to at least the semifinals in both the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments since 1985, a testament to his growing prowess on the court.
