Fighting Fritz overcomes double trouble

Taylor Fritz backed up a rain-delayed win over Andy Murray by going on to defeat  Jordan Thompson with a break of only a few hours as the Washington ATP tournament caught up a weather-plagued schedule.

The world No. 9 top seed needed three hours to defeat Murray but finished quick-smart against Aussie Thompson, 6-3, 6-3.

Fritz extended his winning run to seven matches after lifting last week’s Atlanta title; he now takes on 12th seed Tallon Griekspoor on Saturday, after the Dutchman also did the double with back-to-back wins over Gael Monfils and J.J. Wolf.

“I put in a lot of work the last couple of weeks before coming here. I knew that this is one of the most physically demanding parts of the season, playing in the heat,” Fritz said.

“I definitely wasn’t training and preparing to play two matches in a day, especially one following a three-hour match.”

The Californian added: “I came out tonight in the second match (against Thompson) playing really well, being aggressive. 

“I got early breaks in both sets, which was kind of my strategy, to kind of give it everything I had early, get up a break, and then I could coast a bit and focus on my serve games.”

The winner salvaged 18 of 19 break points in a solid defensive display and also saved eight against three-time Grand Slam winner Murray.

Fritz can take a provisional place in the year-end top eight  passing Casper Ruud if he reaches the final in the American capital.

“After all the tennis and all the playing, who knows how I’m going to wake up feeling tomorrow. I just have to take care of myself,” he said cautiously.