Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Young gun Rafael Jodar will seek to boost his dramatic career rise to the fringe of the world top 10 when he meets American third seed Taylor Fritz in the Washington Open final.
The 19-year-old Spaniard earned the right battle for a second ATP Tour title when he fought back from a set down to clinch a 6-7(8-6) 6-4 6-4 semi-final victory over Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo on Saturday.
World No.10 Fritz advanced to the 23rd ATP final of his career as he overcame a second-set wobble to beat compatriot Brandon Nakashima 6-3 3-6 6-2.
Jodar and Fritz had met once before – at Delray Beach five months ago when the American won 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
But Jodar has since climbed from outside the top 100 in the rankings to No.24 and is set to become No.15 on Monday even if he loses the final, and No.12 if he wins.
A title winner in Marrakech in April, he reached big-time quarter-finals in Madrid and Rome and at the French Open and has this week ousted Arthur Fils, Kei Nishikori, Lorenzo Musetti and now Tabilo.
“I knew I was playing well, having opportunities,” Jodar said post-match.
“Accepting all the moments that I didn’t break in the first set and the beginning of the second set, accepting those moments helped me get the break in the second set.
“From then, I started playing with more rhythm with my serve, so mentally I was very good today.”
Thre 28-year-old Fritz downed Nakashima while striking 13 aces and 24 winners while committing 16 unforced errors, compared with his opponent’s 27.
Nakashima, seeking his first ATP 500 final, responded strongly in the second set. He broke Fritz to go 3-1 up, held to love for a 5-2 lead and closed out the set two games later to force a decider.
Fritz regained control from the outset in the third set and pressed on to victory after breaking in the second game before holding to love for a 3-0 advantage.
“Grabbing that break in the third set made the difference,” Fritz said. “It was really a narrow margin the whole time. Not a lot of chances either way.”
Fritz is 0-3 in finals this year and, while he insists knee tendinitis is not an issue, he needed treatment several times on Friday.
– with AAP
