By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Sunday, March 23, 2025
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Taylor Fritz is hoping a recent ab injury is almost behind as he aims for a successful week at the Miami Open.
The third-seeded Fritz enjoyed a tough win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(2), 6-3.
In the second set, Fritz kept his cool in a long eighth game that saw him miss out on five break points before eventually converting and then holding serve to close out the nearly two-hour win.
Off and running in the 305 😎🤘First class @Taylor_Fritz97 reaches the third round in Miami. @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/4uy8xv35Pr
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 22, 2025
“It’s huge because when you start blowing those opportunities, it almost gets in your head,” said Fritz afterwards. “He had no break points and you feel like he would get one and break you, matches always happen like that, but credit to him.
“He didn’t miss a first serve when he was down in a game.”
Fritz, who now improves to 11-5 this season, is looking to make a deep run in Miami after an early round loss in Indian Wells to eventual champion Jack Draper.
The No. 1 American revealed he has been dealing with an ab injury since Acapulco. While he’s not 100% yet, he feels much better this week.
Sublime volley 😮💨@Taylor_Fritz97 coming up with the goods! @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/CCiP5nNGgJ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 22, 2025
“Yeah, I wouldn’t say. I’m 100% back. I think I kind of thought I was Indian Wells, but coming and transitioning back to these balls, I feel like they’re bit soft. They hold on the racket and more. So it’s making me making me work a little more on that. That where I had the tearing but. I feel I feel a lot better and especially with the fast courts it makes it easy for me to play,” Fritz said.
“I’m hoping to just kind of get my season back on track because you know, prior to the injury, I felt really, really good about my game.”
Fritz next faces Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
