Taylor Fritz’s US Open challenge ended in dramatic fashion as the ninth seed surrendered a two-set lead against Francisco Cerundolo, leaving only four of the men’s top 10 seeds still in contention at Flushing Meadows.
The American appeared in control after taking the opening two sets, but Argentina’s 24th seed fought back to win 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a four-hour contest on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Cerundolo raised his level as Fritz began to make uncharacteristic errors, completing one of the tournament’s most significant comebacks so far. The result brought an early end to the home hope’s campaign and marked his earliest US Open exit in four years.
Fritz, the 2024 runner-up, had made a strong start to the tournament. He defeated fellow American Darwin Blanch in the opening round before dismantling Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 to reach the last 32.
But his hopes of another deep run disappeared after he was unable to recover the momentum he built in the first two sets. Cerundolo held his nerve in the deciding set and sealed victory after a gruelling battle in New York.
The Argentine will face Belgium’s Alexander Blockx in the fourth round after the 28th seed produced a major upset by defeating fifth seed Flavio Cobolli.
Fritz’s defeat adds to a series of shocks in the men’s draw, with only four of the top 10 seeds now remaining as the US Open moves towards its second week.
