Taylor Fritz says one part of his game ‘really cost’ him in shocking loss at the United Cup

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Taylor Fritz’s first match of the 2026 ATP season ended in defeat.

In his opening clash at the United Cup, the American lost to Argentina’s Sebastian Baez in three sets, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Fritz, who is aiming to lead the US to their second consecutive title at the international event, fell to Baez for the very first time at a tour-level competition, having won all five of their previous bouts.

Following the defeat, the world number six admitted there was one part of his game that ‘really cost’ him.

Taylor Fritz reacts to losing his first match of the season

In his post-match press conference, Fritz said: “It’s not the way I want to start off the year. There’s definitely a lot of rust showing.

“I feel like he raised his level, especially in the third set, but also at times in the second set. I think the first set, just from both of us, wasn’t a super high level. You know, both of us making a lot of errors.

“Ultimately, in the end, in the first set, I won it because I put balls in the court, and he made mistakes. He started mentally cutting down on the mistakes, being very steady, but also dictating and being able to attack.

“For me, the ball just felt like it was really flying on me. I didn’t feel like I had the control I wanted when I was trying to be offensive.

“Yeah, I couldn’t really do the things I wanted out there. Then I just had a couple of games where I served very poorly. He played solid.

“I was struggling to beat him from the back. He was beating me from the back a lot. The bad serving games really cost me.”

Sebastian Baez’s immediate reaction after beating Taylor Fritz

In his on-court interview after beating Fritz, Baez said: “Wow, I’m so happy right now. Happy, of course, to give my point to Argentina.

“Thank you guys, the crowd, amazing, I feel very comfortable today. [Strategy] Tactically, I talked about many things with my coaches.

“For example, with the serve, to move every time on the first serve, more of that. Just to be aggressive all the time, of course, you have moments in the match where you feel better or worse.

“Taylor beats me many, many times, so happy to take one,” concluded the world number 45.

Fritz’s next match will be against Jaume Munar when the US take on Spain.