Taylor Fritz continued his bonecrushing run through the first week of the US Open Friday, gatecrashing the 18th birthday of Czech Jakub Mensik with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 win on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Fritz has reached the last 16 at Flushing Meadows for the first time in eight appearances, dropping just 13 games en route. The World No. 9 will next play #NextGen ATP Swiss Dominic Stricker, who by contrast has played 14 sets to reach the second week of a major for the first time.
“It’s so important,” Fritz said of his comfortable passage to the fourth round. “My body is going to be feeling a lot better than someone who’s had a couple of five setters back-to-back, so it’s always something you’re looking for when you’re looking to make a deep run at a Slam, to get through these matches without too much fatigue.”
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World No. 206 Mensik is fast developing into a heavy-hitting force, but it was an assertive Fritz who stamped his authority on the match from the outset by dictating with his serve and forehand and giving his young rival a lesson in focus and intensity.
Fritz won 30 of 33 points on his first serve, did not face a break point and clipped 25 winners to Mensik’s six. He has not dropped serve during the tournament.
Reflecting on his maiden run to the second week at Flushing Meadows, Fritz said, “It’s more of a relief than anything. I’ve been wanting this and expecting it for a while. It does feel really good to be in the second week for the first time and we’re looking for a lot more.
“It’s never easy playing these early-round matches when you’re the favourite and there’s more pressure on you and you’re expected to win. It feels great to play these three matches and get through them the way I’ve been getting through them. It gives me a lot of confidence moving forward.”
In the first round Fritz defeated countryman Steve Johnson 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 and also dropped just five games in the second round against Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. He has faced (and saved) just three break points during the tournament.
Fritz and 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev own a Tour-leading 34 hard-court match wins on the season. The No. 1 American suffered a shock opening-round loss to countryman Brandon Holt last year at Flushing Meadows.
A US Open boys’ champion in 2015, Fritz is now 48-19 on the year with titles in Delray Beach and Atlanta and is in strong contention to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the second consecutive year. He sits eighth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin.
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