Fritz and Cobolli Eliminated as Top Seeds Fall at US Open

Taylor Fritz became one of six top-10 seeds to exit the men’s draw during the opening week of the US Open, unable to hold a two-set advantage against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. The ninth seed controlled the early stages of the third set but ultimately succumbed to a 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 defeat by 24th-seed Cerundolo.

Shortly thereafter, fifth seed Flavio Cobolli also suffered a first-week exit, falling to Belgium’s Alexander Blockx in straight sets after dropping the first via tie-break at 7-6 (7-4), then losing the next three 3-6, 0-6, 3-6. Cobolli cited fatigue and tightness as factors, remarking, “I think my energy was a little bit lower than the other days. I feel a little bit more tight and maybe more tired.”

In contrast, German top seed Alexander Zverev survived to reach the fourth round, defeating Chilean 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2. Despite needing to save two set points and two break points, Zverev advanced in a late-night finish at 1:09 a.m. local time. He joked about his coach’s advice: “My coach was smart because he explained to me that a best-of five match doesn’t means you have to play five sets — which I didn’t know until today.”

Fritz expressed frustration at his home Slam, stating, “I don’t even know what to say… I don’t know how I let that happen today.” The American, who was the 2024 finalist, had hoped to be the fifth American to reach the fourth round this year, especially with rivals Jannik Sinner absent and Carlos Alcaraz recently returned from injury.

With Cobolli and Fritz gone, only Zverev and the winner of the tie between 14th seed Learner Tien and 17th seed Jakub Mensik remain in the top half of the draw among top-20 players. Zverev could potentially reach the final without facing a top-10 opponent if Daniil Medvedev does not advance.

The men’s draw was further opened by earlier shock exits, including defending champion Novak Djokovic, who was defeated by Mariano Navone on opening day, and fourth-seeded Arthur Fils, who lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Felix Auger-Aliassime (third seed) and Alex de Minaur (sixth seed) were also eliminated in the second round.

In men’s doubles, British pair Arthur Fery and Joshua Paris advanced with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Anirudh Chandrasekar and Ivan Liutarevich. Fifth seeds Neal Skupski and Christian Harrison also progressed, beating Arthur Reymond and Luca Sanchez 6-0, 7-6 (7-3). However, David Stevenson and Marcus Willis were ousted by Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul.