World No. 5 Taylor Fritz said there was something going on in Eastbourne, who won his fourth title in the pre-passing tournament of Jenson Brooksby.
Fritz beat Brooksby 7-5 6-1 to gain control over the game by winning eight of the last nine games.
The victory means two Wimbledon quarterfinals Fritz won seven of his eight games this year on the grass, beating world third-ranked Alexander Zverev at the Stuttgart Open two weeks ago.
Last year’s U.S. Open runner-up will hope to push and challenge Wimbledon’s championship in the next two weeks.
The Californian began a campaign against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Monday on the 36th of France.
“There are some things in Eastbourne,” Fritz, 27, said in his stadium interview. “I just love it here. Every year I come here and it’s a great week.”
“This year is different, I have to fight in the game. I feel like I’ve really improved my level.”
When asked about his Wimbledon opportunity, Fritz said: “I’m ready to go. I’d rather go to the game with confidence.”
As for Brooksby, the defeat ended an impressive 149 matchup.
He was the first lucky loser to play in Eastbourne finals and lost in the second round of qualifying.
Elsewhere, the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor won his first title in two years, defeating Frenchman Corentin Moutet 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in the final of the Mallorca Championship.
