Fritz fends off Kokkinakis comeback in late-night Roland Garros slugfest

Taylor Fritz had to stay alert to deny Thanasi Kokkinakis a thrilling comeback win on Saturday night at Roland Garros.

The American held firm for a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(4), 5-7, 6-3 third-round triumph at the clay-court major after a heavy-hitting three hours and 48 minutes on Court 14. Fritz fired 56 winners to Kokkinakis’ 57 in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash since 2018, but it was the 12th seed who found something extra to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time.

Claylor survives a late-night 5-set thriller in Paris!@Taylor_Fritz97 | @rolandgarros | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/Cu2nH4eMsG

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 1, 2024

Kokkinakis rallied from two-sets-to-love down to defeat Giulio Zeppieri in the second round and the No. 100 in the PIF ATP Rankings almost pulled off another great escape against Fritz. It was the American who clinched the decisive break of the decider in the sixth game, however, before he closed out for victory shortly before midnight local time.

Fritz’s prowess behind serve was key to his victory. He won 80 per cent (83/104) of points on his first delivery, according to Infosys Stats, while he also saved four of the six break points he faced.

Awaiting Fritz in the last 16 in Paris will be seventh seed Casper Ruud, who defeated 28th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 shortly before 1 a.m. The 26-year-old American has enjoyed a strong European clay season, during which he has racked up a 13-5 record, reached his maiden clay-court ATP Tour final in Munich, and reached an ATP Masters 1000 semi-final in Rome.