Fritz powers past Paul in all-US final

Top-seeded defending champion Taylor Fritz stretched his win streak in ATP finals to six matches on Monday, defeating Tommy Paul 6-2 6-3 to capture the Delray Beach Open.

World number nine Fritz claimed his seventh career ATP title in the all-American final. Fritz became only the second player to take back-toback Delray crowns after Australian Jason Stoltenberg, the 1996 and 1997 winner.

“It was a really match,” Fritz said.

After taking his first ATP title at Eastbourne in 2019, tough

Fritz lost his next four finals, but since St. Petersburg in 2021 has won championship matches at Indian Wells, Eastbourne and Tokyo in 2022 plus Delray Beach and Atlanta last year.

Fritz broke for a 3-1 lead in the opening set then saved three break points in the seventh game to hold serve for a 5-2 edge and broke again to take the first set in 39 minutes an on errant Paul forehand.

In the second set, Fritz broke with a forehand down the line winner in the eighth game for a 5-3 lead and then held serve at love.

All Blacks try machine Will Jordan will be out for six months because of shoulder surgery, the Canterbury Crusaders announced on Tuesday – a blow to the defending Super Rugby champions on the eve of the new season.

Jordan, 25, who was the top try scorer at last year’s World Cup with eight, needs an operation on a pre-existing injury and will miss the entire Super Rugby campaign that kicks off this week.

The Crusaders, under new head coach Rob Penney, start their bid for an eighth straight title away to the Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday – a repeat of last year’s Super Rugby final.

“It’s tough for any team to lose a world-class player like Will Jordan,” Penney said.

The flying wing, who can also play fullback, looks certain also to be out of NZ’s Tests in July against England and Fiji.

It also puts a question mark over his participation in NZ’s Rugby Championship matches in August and September.

Jordan has scored 31 tries in as many Tests for NZ.