US Open Men’s Draw: Top Seeds Fall Early as Fritz and Cobolli Suffer Upsets

Taylor Fritz was unable to explain how he let a two-set lead slip against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, becoming one of six top-10 seeds eliminated from the men’s draw in the opening week of the US Open.

The ninth seed appeared in complete control, seizing an early break in the third set, only for 24th seed Cerundolo to produce a shock 3-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 victory and advance to the fourth round.

Less than an hour later, fifth seed Flavio Cobolli of Italy succumbed to a 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 0-6 3-6 defeat against Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, further opening the men’s draw.

German top seed Alexander Zverev survived the early upsets, defeating Chilean 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 to move into the last 16.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Fritz said. “I don’t really want to talk to anybody, see anybody.”

“I need to get out for a couple days and then get back to work. I don’t know how I let that happen today,” he added.

Fritz, a 2024 Flushing Meadows finalist, was aiming to become the fifth American through to the fourth round this year.

With world number one Jannik Sinner sidelined by injury and Carlos Alcaraz returning from a long-term wrist problem, the possibility of another home winner in the men’s singles has grown – 23 years after Andy Roddick’s triumph.

That opportunity remains with Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien still in contention, but Fritz knows he let a golden chance slip.

Cerundolo and 28th seed Blockx will now meet in the fourth round, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

Source link