Taylor Fritz didn’t have a great start to his 2025 season. He lost his first match against Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime. However, the American made a strong comeback in the next match against, Croatia’s Borna Ćorić. After his recent win over Coric, he said, “It’s great to get that win, especially after the other day [where I was] a set and break up [against Auger-Aliassime].” Next up for the American is the Chinese superstar, Zhizhen Zhang! Can Taylor Fritz beat the Chinese in this enticing encounter and give his team an edge in the QF of the 2025 United Cup?
Taylor Fritz vs Zhizhen Zhang: Preview
Taylor Fritz had a decent season in 2024 but it could’ve been more memorable if he could’ve managed to hold his nerves in crucial junctures of some of the big tournaments. He started his 2024 season, reaching the QF of the AO. After that, he won the title at the Delray Beach Open and reached the Final of the Bavarian International. Fritz won his second title of the season at the Eastbourne International. However, after that, he went down to Jannik Sinner on two big occasions (the US Open final & the final of the ATP World Tour Finals). Taylor Fritz is entering this contest after his 6-3,6-2 win over Coric. Can he keep his extend his winning run at this mixed-team event?
Sealed with an Ace
Taylor Fritz puts USA one away with a 6-3 6-2 win over Coric
@UnitedCupTennis #Unitedcup pic.twitter.com/4FLNTXS1xO
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 31, 2024
Zhizhen Zhang on the other hand failed to clinch a title at the 2024 season. However, he reached the SF of the Halle Open last year and also made it to the final at the Hangzhou Open. However, in Hangzhou, he was defeated by Borna Ćorić by a 6(5)-7,6(5)-7 margin. Zhang has also won one and lost one match at the 2025 United Cup. He won his first match against Thiago Monteiro (BRA), however, he lost the second against the world number two, Alexander Zverev (GER).
Fritz vs Zhang: Head-to-Head
So far, Taylor Fritz and Zhizhen Zhang have faced each other only once in their careers. Currently, the Chinese player has a 1-0 lead over the American in the H2H record!
- 2023 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid R16: Zhang 3-6,7-6(5),7-6(8).
Prediction: Fritz to win this match in three sets
Although Taylor Fritz won just two titles last season, his consistency throughout the season has truly been praiseworthy. Fritz (4) had a win-loss record of 52-23 in 2024, whereas, Zhizhen Zhang (45) had a record of 26-29. So, despite having an edge in the H2H scoreline, their current form is what keeping Taylor Fritz slightly ahead in this matchup. However, we expect this match to go a little deeper as Zhang is more than capable of throwing up a few challenges towards the American in the QF.
Both these players love playing on the hard courts, so fasten your seatbelts for a blockbuster showdown! If we take a look at their playing styles, Taylor Fritz’s gameplay is mainly focused on his fiery serves. Fritz hit 725 aces last season! Apart from that, Taylor Fritz is more like an offensive baseliner and he loves hitting powerful groundstrokes to force errors out of his opponents. His most consistent and powerful shot is his forehand. He also possesses a strong backhand and his on-court movements are quite exceptional as well!
Zhizhen Zhang loves to rely on his mental tenacity to seal the deal in the long rallies. So, the Chinese may get an edge in the longer rallies. Apart from that he also has a good baseline game and his venomous serve can also cause a few trouble for Taylor Fritz. Zhang hit 373 aces last season. Can this powerful hitter topple the in-form American? Looks pretty much unlikely at the moment!
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