Taylor Fritz conquers eighth ATP title in Eastbourne

World no. 13 Taylor Fritz conquered his eighth ATP title and the third in Eastbourne, lifting a trophy ahead of Wimbledon. Taylor met the first-time ATP finalist Max Purcell in the title clash and claimed a 6-4, 6-3 victory in 70 minutes, celebrating his second ATP 250 trophy of the season. The American outplayed the Aussie behind the first and second serve. Fritz fired nine aces and dropped ten points in ten service games, keeping the pressure on the other side. Purcell struggled behind the second serve, playing against five break points and getting broken once in each set, settling with the runner-up prize. Taylor overpowered Max in the crucial rallies up to four strokes, hitting more service winners than his opponent and taming his strokes nicely.

Taylor Fritz, Eastbourne 2024© Tom Dulat / Stringer – Getty Images Sport

Purcell fought well in the opening eight games before missing a chance to earn a break point at 4-4. Taylor broke him in game ten to wrap up the set and sealed the deal with a single break in set number two. The American kicked off the action with a hold at love in the first game of the encounter after a powerful serve. Purcell responded nicely, producing a hold at love in game two with a service winner and leveling the score at 1-1. Taylor grabbed another hold at love in game three and claimed two points on the return in the next one before Max fired a booming serve and locked them at 2-2. They held at 30 in games five and six before the two-time champion landed an ace for a 4-3 lead.

Max Purcell & Taylor Fritz, Eastbourne 2024© Tom Dulat / Stringer – Getty Images Sport

Taylor Fritz lifted his eighth ATP title in Eastbourne.

Purcell felt no pressure in the eighth game, closing it with a service winner and forcing the first deuces on the return a few minutes later. The American squandered two game points before converting the third after his opponent’s loose forehand. The Aussie missed a volley at 15-15 while serving to stay in the set at 4-5 and faced a set point following another volley mistake. Purcell hit a costly double fault, handing the opener to Fritz after 36 minutes. Taylor landed an ace at the beginning of the second set and created three break points in the next one with a deep return, eager to extend his streak. Max denied them with fine hitting and rattled off five points to bring the game home and remain on the positive side.

Taylor Fritz, Eastbourne 2024© Tom Dulat / Stringer – Getty Images Sport

Fritz left those chances behind and held at love in games three and five, keeping the pressure on the other side. The American fired a forehand down the line return winner in the sixth game, generating three break points and seizing the first after the Aussie’s loose forehand for the crucial advantage. Taylor delivered his third consecutive hold at love in game seven, opening a 5-2 gap and forcing Max to serve to stay in the match. The lower-ranked player held at 15 with an unreturned serve ahead of his last chance to prolong the duel. Fritz served for the title at 5-3 and earned three match points after the rival’s wild forehand. Purcell found the range with his return and denied them before playing a loose forehand that offered Fritz the fourth match point. The American converted it with a forehand crosscourt winner, celebrating his third Eastbourne title in the previous five editions.