Moutet defeats Fritz and records the biggest victory of his career

Corentin Moutet edged out Taylor Fritz 6-7 (5), 7-6 (7), 7-5 on Tuesday evening and will play Jacob Fearnley in the next round

Corentin Moutet, Queen's 2025 Corentin Moutet, Queen’s 2025 | © Action Plus / PsNewz
HSBC Championships •Third round • Completed
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After Arthur Rinderknech earlier, it was Corentin Moutet’s turn to cause an upset at Queen’s. The Frenchman, who came through the qualifiers, defeated Taylor Fritz—the No. 3 seed and world No. 4—in three sets (6-7 [5], 7-6 [7], 7-5) on Tuesday evening in London. A true feat: it’s the first time in his career that Moutet has beaten a top-5 player.

This match against the American was the third France–USA clash of the day at Queen’s (with France winning two of them). It was a match of exceptional intensity with a dramatic finish. Despite having been very solid on grass this season (winning in Stuttgart), Fritz suffered his first breaks of 2025 on grass—against a highly inspired Moutet.

The Frenchman played extremely aggressive tennis, relying in particular on a powerful and incisive forehand that kept his opponent under pressure throughout the match. Gradually, Fritz—who had been very steady until then—began to falter, committing more unforced errors and even a few double faults that are rare at this level.

Moutet on Fritz : “Almost no weakness”

After saving a match point in the second-set tiebreak, Moutet started the deciding set in the best possible way by breaking serve right away. But when it came time to serve for the match, the Frenchman had a lapse, raising the possibility of a comeback. Just before the final games, he was even hit on the head by a ball while at the net—an incident with no serious consequences… but one that may have helped him regain his composure at just the right moment.

In a high-tension finish, Moutet dug deep to break Fritz a second time. This time, the Frenchman didn’t falter: he closed out the match after 2 hours and 54 minutes of battle, in what will go down as the biggest win of his career.

Following this resounding victory, Corentin Moutet showed his satisfaction while keeping a grounded perspective:

‘It’s only the second time I’ve beaten a top-10 player, so obviously it’s a great joy. But I’m especially happy for my team: all the work we’ve put in is starting to pay off at this tournament. It’s just one match—there’s still a lot to do this season—but I’m particularly proud of this one.’

The Frenchman also acknowledged the high level of play from Fritz:

‘He’s very solid—players like him have almost no weaknesses. I knew I had to be at my best from start to finish. Everything came down to small details. I missed a volley, and he broke me back immediately… But it’s in matches like this that I manage to push myself beyond my limits.’”

London ATP 500, other first-round results (Queen’s Club, grass, EUR 2.522.220, most recent results first):

  • Gabriel Diallo beat Billy Harris (WC): 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
  • Jaume Munar beat Jordan Thompson: 7-5 ret.
  • Carlos Alcaraz (1) beat Adam Walton (LL): 6-4, 7-6 (4)
  • Arthur Rinderknech (LL) beat Ben Shelton (6): 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4)
  • Reilly Opelka beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli: 7-6 (6), 6-4
  • Jack Draper (2) beat Jenson Brooksby: 6-3, 6-1
  • Alexei Popyrin beat Aleksandar Vukic (Q): 6-2, 6-7 (9), 7-6 (3)
  • Brandon Nakashima beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard: 6-7 (10), 7-6 (5), 6-4
  • Jiri Lehecka beat Alex De Minaur (5): 6-4, 6-2
  • Mackenzie McDonald (Q) beat Gael Monfils: 6-4, 6-4
  • Jacob Fearnley beat Alex Bolt (Q): 6-2, 6-4
  • Jakub Mensik (8) beat Cameron Norrie (WC): 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-1
  • Holger Rune (4) beat Christopher O’Connell (LL): 6-3, 6-4
  • Daniel Evans (WC) beat Frances Tiafoe (7): 7-5, 6-2
  • Roberto Bautista Agut beat Nuno Borges: 6-7 (6), 7-5, 6-4

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