Titletown Taylor: Fritz captures third Eastbourne crown

Taylor Fritz completed his Eastbourne hat-trick Saturday at the Rothesay International, where the American became the first three-time champion in tournament history.

The 26-year-old did not lose a set en route to his eighth tour-level title, defeating Australian Max Purcell 6-4, 6-3 in the final. Fritz dropped just four points behind his first serve in the title match, according to Infosys ATP Stats.

"I'm pumped. I always feel like I play well here," said Fritz, who won Eastbourne in 2019 and 2022. "I kind of just had that feeling coming into the week as well. I did a great job."

Fritz relied on his booming serve and aggressive play to twice dig out of a 0/30 hole in the opening set. The top seed earned a decisive break at 5-4, with Purcell double faulting down set point. Fritz struck the ball cleanly and remained the more consistent player in baseline rallies, winning 12 consecutive points from 2-2 in the second set.

The first-ever 3x CHAMPION in Eastbourne 🙌

2019 🏆
2022 🏆
2024 🏆@Taylor_Fritz97 | @the_LTA | #RothesayInternational pic.twitter.com/AGglUx0JqI

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 29, 2024

The California native closed the one-hour, 10-minute final on his fourth match point and improved to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with the qualifier Purcell, who was competing in his first tour-level final. Fritz was unbroken all week at the ATP 250, saving all five break points he faced.

Fritz, who also won Delray Beach in February, has earned multiple titles in a single season for the third consecutive year. He is up one spot to No. 12 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, reclaiming American No. 1 honours.

Another USA title on grass 👑🌱@Taylor_Fritz97 with a high Serve #ShotQuality to help create a high #InAttack score 👇#ShotQuality is calculated in real-time by analysing each shot's speed, spin, depth, width, and the impact it has on the opponent#TennisInsights | @atptour… pic.twitter.com/KwzhRGFIwf

— Tennis Insights (@tennis_insights) June 29, 2024