Taylor Fritz let out the emotions after winning the DC Open in Washington. -EPA
Taylor Fritz has captured his first title of the year after edging 19-year-old RafaelJodar in the DC Open final in a contest delayed by rain.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Fritz, the No.3 seed, beat Spaniard 7-6 (2), 6-4 to win the Washington tournament, the 11th title of the American's career.
Neither player dropped serve in the opening set before Fritz dominated the tiebreak, then broke early in the second and held firm despite late pressure from the Spaniard.
The victory gives 28-year-old Fritz momentum heading into the Canadian Open, the final ATP Masters 1000 event before the US Open, where the home favourite will again be among the leading American hopes to end the country's men's Grand Slam singles title drought dating back to Andy Roddick's 2003 triumph in New York.
Fritz lay on the court for several moments after winning the 11th title of his career, then got to his feet with a roll of his eyes as the tension of finally closing out the match gave way.
"It was just relief, like thank God I got it done, thank God the match is over," Fritz said of the moment.
"It wasn't so much as like a celebration ... I can just lay down for a second."
10°C