Taylor Fritz, the runner-up from the US Open, advanced to the Wimbledon quarter-finals for a third time in four years, defeating Australian player Jordan Thompson, who retired after just 41 minutes, trailing 6-1, 3-0. Thompson, unseeded and struggling with back and leg injuries, called for a medical timeout during the match but opted to retire after attempting to continue for a few more points.
Fritz acknowledged the situation, expressing sorrow over Thompson’s forced retirement. “It’s obviously not the way that I want to go through,” he commented, showing respect for his opponent’s decision given Thompson’s physical challenges.
This victory provides Fritz with a much shorter match day compared to his previous encounters in the tournament, which included two five-setters and a four-set match. Looking ahead, he is set to face seventh-seeded Karen Khachanov of Russia in the next round, with both players aiming for their first semi-final appearances at Wimbledon. Khachanov advanced by defeating Kamil Majchrzak in straight sets, showcasing an impressive performance with a tally of 44 winners against 21 unforced errors.
Majchrzak, ranked 109th, was playing in a fourth-round match at a Grand Slam for the first time and had previously been on a six-match losing streak in majors prior to Wimbledon. Khachanov has reached the semi-finals at Grand Slam events twice before, including at the recent US Open and the Australian Open earlier this year. In contrast, Fritz made his Grand Slam breakthrough by reaching the final in New York last September, where he lost to world No. 1, Jannik Sinner.
Both players will be vying for a chance to secure their place in the semi-finals at the prestigious All England Club, with excitement building for their upcoming clash on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Wimbledon Championships continue to offer thrilling tennis action, accessible for fans to watch both live and on-demand through various platforms.