Taylor Fritz Beats Curfew Chaos: American Ace Survives Record 153-mph Serve in Wimbledon Thriller

Taylor Fritz survived Wimbledon’s late-night curfew, a record 153 mph serve and six match-points to keep his Grand Slam dream alive in a five-set epic that already ranks among the most dramatic matches of the 2025 Championships. A CURFEW-SPLIT THRILLER Play on No. 1 Court was halted at 10:20 p.m. Monday with Fritz and French rookie Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard locked at two sets apiece and the All England Club’s strict 11 p.m. curfew looming. Twelve hours later the No. 5 seed returned, needed just 35 minutes to pocket the decider 6-4 and complete a 6-7(6), 6-7(8), 6-4, 7-6(6), 6-4 escape that electrified the grounds. “It was a crazy match,” the 27-year-old Californian admitted. “I thought it might be all over last night, but I believed I had one tiebreak left in me.” FASTEST SERVE IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY Mpetshi Perricard’s 153 mph rocket was the fastest serve Wimbledon has ever recorded, yet Fritz absorbed the blast by winning 80 percent of points behind his own first delivery in sets three through five. The American’s return placement—especially on the towering 6-foot-8 Frenchman’s second serve—shifted momentum and quieted an overnight buzz that the upset was imminent. AMERICAN NO. 1 WITH MOMENTUM Fritz entered SW19 with fresh confidence after a run to the Roland-Garros quarter-finals and his maiden Masters 1000 final in Rome. Now, with Frances Tiafoe and Sebastian Korda already out, he stands as the highest-ranked U.S. man left in the draw and a genuine title outsider. NEXT UP: DIALLO UNDER THE LIGHTS Wednesday’s second-round showdown pits Fritz against Canadian giant-killer Gabriel Diallo, who stunned Ben Shelton on grass in Nottingham last month. Expect another night session on No. 1 Court if showers push the order of play—an environment Fritz now welcomes after conquering the curfew chaos. STATS THAT MATTER • Comeback king: Fritz has now won six career matches from two sets down—three at majors. • Tiebreak toughness: The world No. 5 owns a 14-4 record in breakers this season (78 %). • Grass gains: Since 2024, Fritz’s 26 wins on grass trail only Carlos Alcaraz (28). WHAT A DEEP RUN MEANS A quarter-final berth would make Fritz the first American man to reach three straight Grand Slam quarters since Andy Roddick in 2009. Semifinals or better would propel him into the conversation for world No. 1 after Wimbledon—a ranking goal he set publicly in January. WHY FANS SHOULD WATCH Big serves, bigger forehands and a new-found poise under pressure make Fritz must-see TV. With Novak Djokovic lurking in the same half, Centre Court could witness a blockbuster clash later next week. For now, Fritz’s focus is Diallo, but tennis fans—and search engines—are already locking onto the Californian’s compelling Wimbledon storyline.