Sawt Falasteen - Fritz fuelled with confidence for Wimbledon after Eastbourne win

The world number five proved too good for fellow American Jenson Brooksby, who had progressed to the final as a lucky loser after defeat in qualifying, with a 7-5, 6-1 victory in the Wimbledon warm-up event at Devonshire Park.

Fritz also won on the grass in Stuttgart earlier this month and now has five ATP titles on the surface, which is only bettered by Novak Djokovic among active players.

"I'll go there, get a nice practice in tomorrow and go for it," said Fritz, who is due to play Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round at Wimbledon on Monday.

"I'd much rather be going into the tournament with a title and confidence than a week of rest and just practice."

Fritz has made the event on England's south coast his own in recent years, also lifting the trophy in 2019, 2022 and 2024.

After needing three third-set victories to reach the final once again this week, Fritz had to come from a break down in the first set before imposing his dominance over the world number 149 in the second.

"I got better and better with each match and felt like I really upped my level in this match," added Fritz.

A.AlHaj--SF-PST