ATP Tour

Fritz impresses in Lyon, sets Paul SF clash

Taylor Fritz laid down his title ambitions at the Grand Prix Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and gave his fading Nitto ATP Finals qualification hopes a boost on Friday, when he produced a high-quality display to move past Daniel Altmaier in Lyon.

After raising his level to win the first set in a tie-break, the second-seeded American stormed through the second set to dispatch the German 7-6(5), 6-2 and set a semi-final clash with countryman Tommy Paul.

“I think this whole week I have been happy with everything,” Fritz said in his on-court interview. “In practice as well I have been feeling confident about all parts of my game. I normally have something to complain about. I am serving really well and I think I am hitting the ball really well on both sides.”

Fritz capitalised on a few Altmaier errors in the closing stages of the first set and then just outhit and outlasted the 28-year-old in the baseline exchanges in the second set to triumph after 87 minutes.

Fritz has been so consistent on the ATP Tour across the past six years, underlined by the fact he has now advanced to at least five tour-level semi-finals in a season in five of the past six years.

The 28-year-old is chasing his second title of the season this week, having won in Washington in August. Fritz is also seeking points at the ATP 250 to boost his Nitto ATP Finals qualification chances. The American is 13th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin on 2,630 points, 529 points behind ninth-placed Rafael Jodar, who is in the final qualification spot. Fritz reached the title match in Turin in 2024.

Earlier, Paul advanced to his first semi-final since June at The Queen's Club when he moved past Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Paul was dominant behind Moutet's second serve, winning 58 per cent of those points, and 67 per cent in the decider, to tip the battle his way.

Paul has faint hopes of competing at the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. The 29-year-old is 12th in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin but still 474 points behind ninth-placed Jodar.