Fritz Fades Against Griekspoor, Evans Ousts Dimitrov In Washington SFs

After five sets of tough tennis on Friday, top seed Taylor Fritz couldn’t find his best game in the third set as he fell to Tallon Griekspoor 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the biggest final of his career.

The win was the 27-year-old Griekspoor’s first ever over a Top 10 player, breaking a run of nine losses.

“The first Top 10 win was something I was really looking for. To beat Taylor playing at home is pretty special,” Griekspoor said to the ATP. “It’s a pretty nice start to the American swing and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.

“My serve is going really well this week; it’s getting some pace, whether it’s during the day or during the night. I’m moving great and the body is great, so there’s not much to complain about.”

Griekspoor makes his 3rd career final. He’s 2-0 in finals having won Den Bosch earlier in the year.

“Winning two 250s, especially one at home, is something you dream of. Playing semis of a 500 at home in Rotterdam and now the final here, it’s all coming together this season. I’ve been working hard and it’s coming together,” the Dutchman said.

Tomorrow, he’ll take on Dan Evans who kept his hot run going downing Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 7-6(7-4).

Evans never lost serve while breaking Dimitrov twice in the match. Dimitrov missed break chances at the start of both sets.

“It was so hard after yesterday putting in such a big effort. Coming back today it was really important to not roll over and have a bad performance,” Evans said. “The last few months that has happened a little bit. I’m really proud I could do that today. One more to go.

“Physically I was tired, although more sleepy than anything as it’s tough to sleep after such a late night. But we got to America early; we were in Bradenton a lot and my trainer helped me get in good shape after a poor Wimbledon. It makes you feel good at these times to be confident in your body when you can play two matches and come back today.”

Evans advances his 4th career final. He is seeking his 2nd career title, first title since the 21 Murray River Open (d Auger Aliassime). Until this week, Evans had lost eight of his last niine matches coming into the event.

Evans has won both tour-level head-to-head meetings against Griekspoor, including their last collision in 2022 Antwerp.

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