No tennis fan would complain if Taylor Fritz vs. Andy Murray was the final matchup at the Citi Open, but instead it is the marquee attraction of the third round. Predictably, it will get night-session treatment on Thursday.
Fritz is off to a fast start on the summer hard-court swing, as he captured his sixth ATP title last week in Atlanta. The ninth-ranked American improved to 38-16 by beating Aleksandar Vukic 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4 on Sunday. Fritz got right back in gear on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., taking care of Zachary Svajda 6-3, 6-3.
Murray’s hard-court summer is also off to a good start. A two-time Challenger champion on grass prior to Wimbledon, the 44th-ranked Scot advanced to the third round this week by defeating Brandon Nakashima 7-6(5), 6-4.
As well as Fritz is playing, this looks like a good opportunity for Murray. Conditions were extremely fast in Atlanta, whereas in Washington, D.C.–especially at night–they are painfully slow. Moreover, following his Atlanta success Fritz admitted that his body was feeling some wear and tear.
“It’s going to be a tough match against Andy, who is such an amazing competitor,” the top seed commented. “The conditions are really, really slow so that will help him in the match a little bit.”
Pick: Murray in 3
WWW?
Fritz in 3
I think bookies have got that right, so Thompson in 3 also.
Griekspoor in 2
Could be a great match….fritz in 2.