Just as expected, Stan Wawrinka moved onto the second round of Wimbledon yesterday with a four set over American Taylor Fritz. It may have given you pause to see that Wawrinka dropped a set in the first round but even more importantly it was to an American teenage sensation who is primed to be the future of tennis.
In what would have otherwise served as an innocuous first round match-up, we were able to get a glimpse at 18-year-old Taylor Fritz and his future potential. Here is what Wawrinka had to say about Fritz after the match.
Wawrinka to the BBC on 18-year-old American Taylor Fritz pic.twitter.com/mOBb39NOlm
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) June 28, 2016
The wiry 6′ 4” Fritz was more than up to the challenge as he showed some grit and determination to win the third set in a tiebreak. Through much of the match however, it was clear that Wawrinka is simply bigger and stronger than Fritz, forcing him onto his back foot constantly. Fritz did show that he can get to most balls, moving quit well for such a tall kid but the service game is where they were really separated in class. Fritz was only serving on average around 115 mph, which needs to be much higher for him to be a threat on tour, and he never really came close to breaking Wawrinka’s powerful serve.
Even though Fritz lost, he and the rest of American tennis fans can take a lot of positives away from this match. If Fritz can bulk up, learn to add some variation and finesse to his game and take on more tests such as this match it appears Fritz has a solid enough head on his shoulders to act as the next American hope.
Here are some of the other stories that got our attention and are worth keeping an eye on going forward…
- Novak Djokovic is going for his 30th straight Grand Slam match victory which would tie him with Rod Laver for the most ever in the open era. Not enough can be said about the sheer dominance Djokovic has had over the rest of the field and it doesn’t look like that will be tested until at least the semifinal when he’ll almost certainly meet Roger Federer.
- Rain was constant theme yesterday and it looks to continue for the foreseeable future. Serena was able to get her first round match-up in under the roof at center court while the top seeded Brit (16) Johanna Konta will have to finish up her match today up a set on Monica Puig.
- Just in case you didn’t see our blog from yesterday, Roger Federer’s next opponent is a goddamn legend and the best story through three days a t Wimbledon. Enjoy.
