Fritz shot 32 winners and overpowered Auger-Aliassime during the heavy-hitting exchanges in the third set, earning the crucial break at 3-2 in the decider set to cruise after two hours and 44 minutes long battle.
The third seed clinched a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) win over the American to confirm his progression from Green Group. Coming into the match after a win over Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ruud managed to hold his calm to clinch the semifinal spot after a tense battle of two-hours and 12 minutes
Fritz completed a dream debut at the season finale while smashing Nadal's bid to win the lone big title that has eluded him in his legendary career with a 7-6(3), 6-1 victory.
In the second half of the season, Nadal lost his ATP Tour rhythm for good and bad reasons. Aside from missing time to recover from two abdominal tears, he sustained at Wimbledon and right before the US Open, he welcomed the birth of his first child in October.
Madrid [Spain], April 27 (ANI): Rafael Nadal will make his return to the ATP Tour in his home nation to play Madrid Open, it was confirmed Monday by the Spaniard and the Madrid event organisers.
Monte Carlo [Monaco], April 12 (ANI): The World No. 46 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Monte-Carlo Masters on Tuesday.
Houston [US], April 11 (ANI): Reilly Opelka defeated John Isner 6-3, 7-6(7) to triumph at the US Men's Clay Court Championship and lift his fourth ATP Tour trophy and his first on clay.
Madrid [Spain], March 23 (ANI): The 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal on Tuesday announced that he has suffered a stress fracture in one of his ribs.