Taylor Fritz surged past Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the US Open with America’s number one still going strong.
Playing some of his most dominant tennis of the year, Taylor Fritz waltzed past Matteo Berrettini, 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-1, under the US Open lights.
The 12th seed did not face a break point throughout the entire match, and in a mesmerising display, won 90% of points on his first serve.
After a similarly confident opener, Fritz is still yet to drop a set and now moves to 4-0 against the Italian.
Next up in the third round is Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, who came back in four sets to upset 17th French seed Ugo Humbert.
‘Locked in’ Taylor Fritz rejoices ‘unbelievable’ US Open atmosphere
Last year’s outing in New York saw Fritz sail into the last eight without dropping a set, before Novak Djokovic made quick work of the American.
This year, after Fritz’s controversial exit in Cincinnati, he has looked dialled in at Flushing.
“I came in really focused,” he told the USTA. “I felt I was locked in on every point. I was a little upset with myself for my first round, so I was just ready to go. Matteo is an extremely good player. It was a tough second round. Getting through these Grand Slams and these early rounds is always tricky.
Clearly relishing the occasion, Fritz continued: “It’s amazing, I feel right at home. There is nothing like playing a prime-time night match in Armstrong.
“This is the court and time slot I wanted to play my match. I’m pumped that I got to come out in front of the crowd and play. It’s unbelievable energy.”
Can Taylor Fritz break his quarter-final curse at the US Open?
There’s surely something going on when it comes to top American players and grand slam semi-finals.
In six attempts, Jessica Pegula has never seen beyond the last eight, with Fritz having visited four quarter-finals with no success.
Now with five American men in the Top 20 for the first time since 1997, Fritz, as well as Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, have secured their spots on the third round.
With Shelton and Tiafoe set to face off, at least one American seed will be out before next week.
With Fritz always being seeded around eighth to 15th, he has ultimately run into the top seeds at that stage.
Having previously faced both Rafael Nadal and Djokovic at that stage, Fritz couldn’t take the opportunity against Lorenzo Musetti at this year’s Wimbledon.
Expected to reach round four, if Fritz continued to serve how he is, you’d certainly expect him to again reach the last eight.
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