Taylor Fritz begins grass court season with win over Aslan Karatsev

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Taylor Fritz held serve throughout as he started his grass-court season by beating Aslan Karatsev 7-6 (4), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the Stuttgart Open on Thursday.

Fritz had to save set point at 5-4 down in the first set, which later went to a tiebreak where Fritz raced into a 5-2 lead before sealing the set. Fritz broke Karatsev for the first time at 3-2 in the second set to put himself on course for the win.

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Taylor Fritz of United States looks dejected against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina during the Men's Singles Third Round Match on Day Seven of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 03, 2023 in Paris. (Christian Liewig - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Fritz, the highest-ranked American on the men's tour at No. 8, said he was "really happy" with the win and pleased with his serving and returning on grass. Last year was Fritz's most successful season on the surface, where he won Eastbourne for the second time and reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon.

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Taylor Fritz of United States looks dejected against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina during the Men's Singles Third Round Match on Day Seven of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 03, 2023 in Paris. (Christian Liewig - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Fritz is seeded second and had a bye in the first round in Stuttgart. He goes on to meet Marton Fucsovics in the quarterfinals after the Hungarian won against Wu Yibing 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Taylor Fritz of USA in action against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina