Taylor Fritz emphasizes the benefits of the quick indoor hardcourts at the ATP Finals - "That's not normal that Rafa is acing me three times a game"

American tennis star Taylor Fritz advanced to the semifinals of the ATP Finals on Thursday, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 6-2.

When asked if the serve is perhaps more important on Turin's quick surface, Fritz stated that it helps people who don't usually get free points on serve. He emphasized his point by recalling a practice session he had with Rafael Nadal ahead of the season-ending tournament.

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“I think it helps a lot the people that maybe don't get as many free points on their serve," said Fritz during his press conference. "I played Rafa, but I practiced with Rafa the first day I was here. We played a practice set and I think I won three points returning his serve in the set. That's not normal that Rafa is acing me three times a game.”

The American went on to state the vital importance of serving well in Turin, something he didn't do in his loss against Casper Ruud earlier.

"I think it is very important in terms of, like, if you play a bad game, you get broken, you're probably going to lose the set.," he added. "That's just how it is. You can't afford to have throwaway games on the serve.

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"I think that was probably my biggest issue against Casper a couple of days ago. The first game I served. I kind of just gave it to him. You can't do that.”“Holding serve by far is the most important thing on this court, holding serve and returning. But you don't necessarily have to be serving amazing. If you just hit your spots, take care of the serve, it's going to look like everyone is serving incredible.”

Fritz will face former World No.1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals on Saturday, with the hopes of reaching his first final at the season-ending championship.