Fritz youngest American in ATP semifinal since Chang in '89

By foxsports
Published

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Teenager Taylor Fritz beat Benjamin Becker of Germany 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (5) on Friday at the Memphis Open, becoming the youngest American to reach an ATP semifinal since 1989.

Fritz needed 2 hours, 20 minutes to continue his amazing run at The Racquet Club. Fritz, who turned 18 on Oct. 28, used his big serve and strong forehand to advance to his first career ATP semifinal as the youngest American since Michael Chang won Wembley in 1989 at the age of 17.

The teenager, in the event as a wild card ranked 145th in the world, will play Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania on Saturday. Berankis upset No. 3 seed Donald Young 7-6, 6-1, needing 80 minutes to advance.

Three-time defending champion Kei Nishikori faced Mikhail Kukushkin on Friday night. Fourth-seeded Sam Querrey played Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka in the other quarterfinal.