1 | CALIFORNIA KID FRITZ BREAKS THROUGH… Taylor Fritz surprised a lot of people last October when he notched his first Top-5 win against Alexander Zverev to reach the semifinals. But that impressive performance pales in comparison to the stunning run that Fritz pulled off this week in California. Not only did he defeat Rafael Nadal to claim his biggest career title, he did it on the day when he had to cut his warm up short because his injured ankle was in too much pain. “I took a couple of change of direction steps and screamed,” Fritz recalled after defeating Nadal 6-3, 7-6(5) in the final.  “Honestly, I was trying to act tough because I had cameras on me.” Fritz would get the ankle treated and head out to a secluded practice court to try it again. Lo and behold, he felt better, ready for the biggest final of his career. Several hours later, he was lying on his back, the throngs cheering wildly after he had completed his massive upset over the 21-time Grand Slam champion. “This is just one of those childhood dreams that you never even think could come true,” Fritz said, on the verge of tears. “I just can’t even – I just keep saying no, no, no way it’s real.” 

2 | IGA’S COMING INTO HER OWN… Eleven straight wins (a tour-best 19 overall on the year), back-to-back titles in Doha and Indian Wells, a career-high No. 2 ranking — it’s all coming together for Iga Swiatek in 2022. The ambitious 20-year-old from Warsaw is one of the brightest young talents on the WTA Tour. Now aligned with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and her sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz, if she stays healthy, the sky’s the limit. “At the beginning of the tournament, I wouldn’t even think about winning, honestly. Of course, you have to believe in yourself, but I’m a realistic person, especially winning after playing so well in Doha is giving me a lot of confidence and belief that I can do it. I…