Teen prodigy Taylor Fritz became the fastest American finalist in ATP history Saturday, downing Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis to reach the Memphis Open final in only his third tour-level event. The 18-year-old wildcard entrant fired 17 aces in ousting 102nd-ranked Berankis 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
On Sunday he'll face either three-time defending champion and top seed Kei Nishikori of Japan or US fourth seed Sam Querrey.
Jimmy Connors and Andy Roddick had been the Americans needing the fewest ATP events to reach a final, each doing so in his 10th career tournament.
But Fritz, ranked 145th, shattered that mark. After starting the week 1-2 in ATP play, he has won four matches and would crack the top 100 by taking the title.
"It feels incredible," Fritz said. "It's crazy what winning four tennis matches can achieve. I'm so happy."
Fritz would be the youngest American to capture an ATP title since a 17-year-old Michael Chang won at Wembley in 1989.
Fritz, last year's US Open junior champion, made his ATP debut last year at Nottingham, beating Carreno Busta before a second-round exit. He lost to compatriot Jack Sock in five sets in the first round of last month's Australian Open.
A double fault by Berankis handed Fritz a 2-1 edge in the last set. The European broke back for 4-4 with a service return winner only to double fault on break point again in the ninth game.
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