Halle Open ATP Final Round-up | Frances Tiafoe produces scintillating display to defeat Taylor Fritz for biggest title of his career

Frances Tiafoe won the biggest tournament of his career at the Halle Open. He defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in an utterly fantastic performance, blowing away his American counterpart in some fashion.

Dropping just seven points on serve throughout the whole match, Tiafoe gave an underwhelming Fritz no chance whatsoever of winning a sixth grass title. Following the loss against Ben Shelton in the final of the Stuttgart Open, Fritz had defeated him and the number one seed Alexander Zverev enroute to the final.

He had impressed but could not produce it at the right time. Tiafoe, on the other hand, showed his class on court. Utterly dominant from start to finish, he gave away nothing on serve while creating numerous chances against it, taking them most importantly and going on to win a fourth ATP title, the first at 500 level.

Tiafoe created numerous chances in the first set, breaking in the end before seeing it out. A break in the first game of the second set was enough to see Fritz off with American number two unable to create any break points as Tiafoe sailed to victory in Halle.

The duo has faced off eight times at ATP level. Fritz has won seven of them, all in a row with Tiafoe not winning a clash since 2016. He was hopeful of changing this and put the pressure on early with the first break point of the contest.

This was a sign of things to come with him storming out into a 0-40 lead two games later. Fritz managed to win five points on the spin and divert the perilous situation. The reverse happened two games later. Fritz was looking good for a hold to love but would concede five points in a row and hand the authority to Tiafoe.

He had no trouble wrapping up the first set, taking his second set point as he charged clear. He went into this final as the second favourite in the eyes of many but was by far and away the better player on court.

The advantage was extended at the start of the second set. Tiafoe broke instantly and put himself in a position of authority. Three consecutive holds to love followed as Tiafoe lead 3-1. He had only conceded four points on serve up to this point, not allowing Fritz any chance.

That tally was boosted to five as he took a 4-2 lead before Fritz held to love to put him back within striking range. He could not create any more chances as Tiafoe sprinted into a 5-3 lead. Fritz forced him to serve it out, and Tiafoe needed no second invitation. He got it done with his first championship point to seal the biggest win of his career.