Taylor Fritz edges out Daniil Medvedev for massive payday

James Richardson 11 Dec 2022 10:41 AM

Taylor Fritz celebrating his efforts

Taylor Fritz will take home the $1 million winner’s purse from the Diriyah Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia after beating Daniil Medvedev in the event’s final.

The world No 9 saved all nine break points carved out by the former US Open champion and would win 7-6(5), 7-6. (3).

It is perhaps no surprise that Fritz dominated the tiebreaks as he bagged an impressive 82 per cent of points on his first serve.

Fritz had downed British No 1 Cameron Norrie and Poland’s top-ranked man Hubert Hurkacz earlier in the week.

Last time we played, he won. He told me I was the better player in the first set and it’s kind of reversed this time,” said Fritz who had lost his only previous meeting with Medvedev.

“It was a really tough match. He was in control. He had all the chances. Every time he had a breakpoint, I played really well and always kind of came up with what I needed to. And then I played well in the tiebreakers and the big points so I was then able to steal it away from him.”

While the event is only an exhibition and no ranking points are awarded, the prize money for the Diriyah Tennis Cup is among the highest in the sport, with only a few high-level tournaments offering more.

By winning this three-match sequence, Fritz has incredibly bagged a tenth of what he has earned in his entire career to date.

Fritz is the first player to beat Medvedev in Saudi Arabia after the Russian won the first edition of the Diriyah Tennis Cup three years ago.

“It’s a great tournament. My second time and I feel very welcome coming here and I will be happy to come back many times,” said Medvedev. “It was a great atmosphere from the first match. Today was the biggest crowd I’ve seen here in the two years. Let’s hope next year for almost a fall stadium and, two years, a full stadium.”

Hubert Hurkacz and Dominic Stricker won the doubles final 7-6(8), 3-6, 10-7 over Andrey Rublev and Matteo Berrettini.

The players attending this event have been questioned by some fans and members of the media over perceived sportswashing.

However, the bulk of the players have said they were keen to get some time on court before the Australian Open swing.