Taylor Fritz was unable to explain how he let a two-set lead slip against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo as he became one of six top-10 seeds to be eliminated from the men’s draw in the first week of the US Open.
The American ninth seed was in complete control and went an early break up in the third set, only for 24th seed Cerundolo to produce a shock 3-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 win to reach the fourth round.
Less than an hour later, fifth seed Flavio Cobolli of Italy fell to a 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-0 6-3 defeat by Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, opening up the men’s draw even further.
However, German top seed Alexander Zverev did survive. The French Open champion won 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 against Chilean 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo 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.”
Fritz, a finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2024, was bidding to become the fifth American through to the fourth round at this year’s tournament.
With world number one Jannik Sinner out injured and Carlos Alcaraz only recently returned from a long-term wrist problem, excitement has been growing there may finally be another home winner in the men’s singles – 23 years on from Andy Roddick’s triumph.
That chance remains with Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien left – but Fritz will know he has let a golden opportunity slip.
Cerundolo and 28th seed Blockx will now meet in the fourth round with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.