Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The competition was intense for the singles second round at the Fairfield Men’s Pro Challenger presented by Francis Ford Coppola Winery, with many of the sets pushing into tiebreakers, and Southern California’s tennis phenom Taylor Fritz ousting No. 1 seed and World No. 100 Tim Smyczek in straight sets.

The All-American showdown feature match pitting Smyczek against 17 year old Fritz was the first career meeting between the two, and Fritz rose to the occasion, demonstrating a willingness to work against one of the Challenger Tour’s toughest players.

Fritz’ backhand was firing with power and precision in the first set, and he managed to keep pace and find effective solutions to Smyczek’s monstrous baseliner game. A brief rain delay interrupted the set with Fritz up 5-2, yet his momentum did not break. He battled through some tough combinations by Smyczek when the set resumed to take his fourth straight game and the first set win.

Fritz continued to crush the ball in the second, taking the first 3 games. Smyczek battled back with Fritz up 3-1 to take 2 more games before giving in to Fritz’ domination for the match win with a final score of 6-2, 6-3.

Fritz will face Blaz Kavic in the Quarterfinals tomorrow.

Germans Dustin Brown and Daniel Brands were also victorious in their respective matches today, and will advance and face each other tomorrow in the next round.

The Fairfield Men’s Pro Challenger resumes tomorrow at 11am, with the afternoon feature match not beginning before 4pm.

The tournament, which is a $50K USTA Pro Circuit and ATP Challenger event, is the last of three men’s USTA Challenger events that swing through northern California, with proceeds to benefit the Chris Cammisa Tennis and Education Foundation (CCTEF).

Fairfield Men’s Pro Challenge
A USTA Pro Circuit Event
Thursday, October 15, 2015
In-Shape Fairfield: Rancho Solano
Fairfield, CA
Purse: $50,000
Surface: Hard-outdoor

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015 – RESULTS

Main Draw Singles – Second Round
[3] Dustin Brown (GER) def. [WC] Tommy Paul (USA) 6-2, 7-6(5)
[7] Daniel Brands (GER) def. [Q] Alex Kuznetsov (USA) 7-5, 6-7(4), 7-6(7)
[6] Blaz Kavcic (SLO) def. Jason Jung (TPE) 7-5, 6-3

Taylor Fritz (USA) def. [1] Tim Smyczek (USA) 6-2, 6-3

Main Draw Doubles – Second Round
[4] Mitchell Krueger (USA) / Tennys Sandgren (USA) def. [PR] Philip Bester (CAN) / Peter Polansky (CAN) 3-6, 6-4, 11-9
[2] Johan Brunstrom (SWE) / Frederik Nielsen (DEN) def. Sekou Bangoura (USA) / Jose Statham (NZL) 6-3, 6-2
[1] Carsten Ball (AUS) / Dustin Brown (GER) def. Frank Dancevic (CAN) / Henri Laaksonen (SUI) 6-3, 3-6, 1–6

ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

STADIUM COURT start 11:00 am
Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs Darian King (BAR)

Not Before 12:00 noon
Taylor Fritz (USA) vs [6] Blaz Kavcic (SLO)

Not Before 4:00 pm
[7] Daniel Brands (GER) vs [3] Dustin Brown (GER)

COURT 1 start Not Before 12:00 noon
[4] Blaz Rola (SLO) vs [5] Jared Donaldson (USA)

Not Before 2:00 pm
May Be Moved to Stadium Court – [3] Dean O’Brien (RSA) / Ruan Roelofse (RSA) vs [2] Johan Brunstrom (SWE) / Frederik Nielsen (DEN)

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.