“I don't know how I let that happen today”: Taylor Fritz stunned after blowing two-set lead at US Open
ATPSunday, 06 September 2026 at 08:30
Taylor Fritz appeared to be firmly in control against Francisco Cerundolo in the third round of the US Open, with the American two sets away from another deep run in New York. He had won the opening set 6-3 and followed it with a 6-4 victory in the second.
The situation looked even better when Fritz broke early in the third set. With the 2024 runner-up holding a commanding lead, Cerundolo suddenly appeared to have little margin for error if he was to keep his campaign alive.
Instead, the Argentine turned the match around in spectacular fashion. He won the next three sets 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to complete a comeback that sent Fritz out in the third round and secured Cerundolo a place in the last 16.
The result was particularly painful for Fritz given his record at Flushing Meadows. He had won 12 of his previous 14 matches at the US Open, including a run to the final in 2024 and a quarterfinal appearance last year. He was unable to defend those points, although he moves up to No. 9 in the live rankings after Novak Djokovic's early exit.
Cerundolo changed the match from the baseline
Fritz's own assessment suggested that the comeback was not as sudden as the scoreboard made it appear. Even during the opening two sets, Cerundolo had created opportunities on his serve, but the Argentine was not serving well enough to capitalize, allowing Fritz to escape dangerous games and maintain control.
“I was lucky to get through the first and second sets just because he wasn't serving great. He was making some mistakes,” Fritz said at press conference. “So I was able to get breaks and then just kind of fight through service games. He had so many opportunities to break me. I was playing very good from the baseline. He was making some mistakes on those points, and I played some of those points pretty well.”
That equation changed after Fritz's early break in the third. Cerundolo began striking the ball with greater confidence and reducing the errors that had helped Fritz during the opening stages. The American could no longer control rallies as comfortably, and the Argentine gradually took over the baseline exchanges.
“He definitely got more confident in his shots. He played a lot better from the baseline,” Fritz explained. “I felt like what won me the first two sets was that from the baseline, I was playing really well. And I think that he started playing more aggressive and making less mistakes. So it just makes it tougher.”
Fritz also felt that Cerundolo's return game amplified the problems created by his own serve. He was not consistently finding his spots, while the Argentine was good enough to turn those slightly weaker deliveries into immediate pressure.
“I wasn't really hitting my spots enough on the serve, but he was punishing me more than maybe a normal person would,” Fritz said.
The result was a match that became increasingly difficult for Fritz to dictate. Cerundolo's depth forced him to look for bigger shots to end points, while the Argentine could stay patient and wait for opportunities.
“I started to have a very hard time hurting him,” Fritz added. “It felt like I had to take a lot of risk to hit a point-ending shot. And it felt like he didn't have to. It just felt like a lot easier for him to dictate points than it did for me.”
Cerundolo eventually won three consecutive sets to complete the comeback on his first appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A brutal exit for Fritz
The American still had opportunities in the final set, but Cerundolo's serve improved at the most important moments. Fritz said the Argentine had made a significant adjustment compared with the opening stages, when his first serve had not consistently found difficult locations.
“The first set, two and a half sets, I felt like he wasn't serving great when he made his first serves. The spots weren't always great, and the percentage was not super high,” Fritz said. “And then I felt like the fourth and the fifth, he served incredible spots. He served really well.”
Fritz insisted that his knee, which has been an issue during the season, was not responsible for the defeat. The defeat nevertheless leaves Fritz with a significant missed opportunity in New York.
After reaching the final in 2024 and the quarterfinals in 2025, he will now leave the tournament after three rounds, while Cerundolo advances to face Alexander Blockx after the Belgian's upset of Flavio Cobolli.
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The emotional impact was immediate. Fritz did not hide how difficult it was to process a match that had been so close to his control before slipping away.
“I don't even know what to say,” Fritz said. “I just don't really want to talk to anybody or see anybody. I kind of just need to get out for a couple of days and just get back to work.”
And despite having a straightforward explanation for the tactical changes that allowed Cerundolo to come back, Fritz was still unable to make sense of the overall result.
“I just don't know how I let that happen today.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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