American Tommy Paul makes a comeback to his compatriot Taylor Fritz, during the semi-final of the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Friday, January 3, 2023 (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

ACAPULCO, AP — Tommy Paul battled for more than three hours to beat fellow American and longtime rival Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-7(2), 7-6(2) on Friday, clinching a spot in the final of the Mexican Tennis Open.

Paul, who has played Fritz since they were both teenagers, needed 3:25 to defeat the third seed and become the third American to reach the final in Acapulco.

Fritz did so in 2020 while Sam Querrey won the tournament in 2017.

The Americans first met when Fritz was 13 and Paul was 14 at the 2011 USTA Boys 14s National Championship in San Antonio, Texas.

Paul, 25, who reached the Australian Open semi-finals in January, is trying to claim his second career title after winning in Stockholm in 2021.

His rival in the final will emerge from the match between Hulger Rune and Alex de Miñaur, played later at the GNP Arena in Acapulco.

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