The final is set for the ATP 250 in Atlanta! American Taylor Fritz will be the crowd favorite as both the tournament’s top seed and his popularity as the top-ranked American in the world. He is making the most of the Tour shifting back onto hard courts, by far his best surface, where he won his lone title of 2023 back in February in Delray Beach. He faces Aleksandar Vukic, who does not have Fritz’s profile but will be plenty hungry, playing in his maiden ATP Tour final. Vukic does have a Challenger title this year but will be looking to capitalize on this opportunity. It has been an interesting week in Atlanta and the final pits two players with different backgrounds, styles, and experience. This will be a fun culmination of a great event with a full match preview below.
ATP Atlanta Open Final Prediction
Taylor Fritz vs Aleksandar Vukic
Head-to-head: First meeting
Taylor Fritz is looking for his first Atlanta title after losing in the final in 2019. Fritz entered the draw as the #1 seeded player and has proven that he is the man to beat. He has won all six of his sets and has only been broken once all tournament. Wrapping up his matches quickly plays into Fritz’s favor with less time spent on court, and he has the additional advantage of playing in the first semifinal, giving him more time to recover before the final. Vukic, meanwhile, had to fight through a physical three-set semifinal ending around 9:30 PM local time. It was also Vukic’s second three-setter of the tournament and certainly tested his physicality. He did show his resilience, coming back from a set down to win two close sets and take the match.
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The primary key to Fritz’s success in Atlanta, and in most of his matches, has been his big serve and using quick points to dominate service games. He has been broken just once all tournament and that came in the first set he played, giving him 27 straight games without being broken. Equally as impressive is that few times has he even allowed his opponents a chance on serve, facing just five total break points in those 27 games. Vukic has returned well with nine breaks of serve in his four matches, including three against the big-serving Christopher Eubanks. The Fritz serve vs Vukic return will decide the match.
Overall Fritz’s serve it just too good and even with Vukic playing well on return, there will be limited chances. Fritz is a seasoned veteran with experience in finals at almost all levels. Vukic is playing in his first final and has just a 3-11 finals record at the Challenger and ITF levels. Adding in the fact that the match is on American soil and all signs are pointing toward Fritz to hold the trophy.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
