Full Breakdown
Fritz’s Two-Set Lead Vanishes as Cerundolo Wins Five-Set Thriller
9/7/2026, 1:59:59 PM
Core Match Summary
American No. 9 seed Taylor Fritz entered the third round with a 6-3, 6-4 lead over Argentina’s No. 24 seed Francisco Cerúndolo. After breaking Cerúndolo to open the third set, Fritz saw the momentum shift; Cerúndolo captured the next three sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to win 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The upset eliminated Fritz from the tournament and ended his bid to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam since 2003.
Background & Context
Fritz arrived at the U.S. Open as the tournament’s highest-ranked American man, seeded ninth and fresh from a 2024 final appearance. He had breezed through his first two rounds, dropping only 11 games total. Cerúndolo, playing his inaugural match in Arthur Ashe Stadium, reached the third round after a grueling five-set victory in the second round, his first appearance at this stage of a major.
Data & Statistics
- Fritz’s first-round win was a 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 demolition; his second-round victory was a 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 rout, losing just two games combined.
- Cerúndolo’s second-round match lasted 234 minutes and required five sets to prevail.
- The final scoreline marked Cerúndolo’s first win over Fritz at a Grand Slam and his first five-set victory on a hard court.
Official Statements & Responses
He also reflected that the first two sets were won “because he wasn’t serving great” and that he “just needed to serve better.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don't know how I let that happen today,” — Taylor Fritz
- “He was playing way better than me the first two sets,” — Francisco Cerundolo
- “It was nothing that wasn’t already happening. I was lucky to get through the first and second sets, just because he wasn’t serving great,” — Taylor Fritz
- “He definitely got more confident in his shots. He played a lot better,” — Taylor Fritz
What’s Next
Following the victory, Cerúndolo advances to the round of 16, where he will meet Belgian No. 28 seed Alexander Blockx. Fritz’s loss removes the last American man positioned to break the 23-year Grand Slam drought for U.S. men’s singles.
