DC Open ATP Day One Round-Up | Taylor Fritz starts title charge as Musetti returns with statement win
ATPTuesday, 28 July 2026 at 12:43
The DC Open began with several of the tournament’s biggest names stepping onto court in Washington, with Taylor Fritz leading the American charge and Lorenzo Musetti making his return after a difficult period interrupted by injury. Both delivered strong starts, although their paths to victory could not have been more different.
While Fritz looked every bit like one of the leading contenders during the North American hard-court swing, Musetti showed encouraging signs after a frustrating stretch away from competition. The opening day also featured a pair of dramatic three-set battles, with Alejandro Tabilo overcoming Tallon Griekspoor and Kei Nishikori rolling back the years to complete a comeback victory.
Fritz begins Washington campaign with confident Bergs victory
Taylor Fritz def. Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4
Taylor Fritz opened his DC Open campaign with a composed straight-sets victory over Zizou Bergs, continuing the momentum that has made him one of the most dangerous players during the North American hard-court season.
The American has become one of the central figures of the home swing after his breakthrough run to the US Open final two years ago, when he became the first American man in more than a decade to reach a Grand Slam singles final. That experience has raised expectations every summer, and Fritz looked comfortable carrying the weight of being one of the tournament favourites in Washington.
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From the beginning, Fritz controlled the match with his powerful baseline game and imposing serve. He found the first break of both sets and never allowed Bergs to seriously challenge his lead, staying aggressive while maintaining enough consistency to close out the victory.
The performance was exactly the type of start Fritz needed as he looks to build momentum ahead of the biggest hard-court events of the season.
Musetti shines on return before Arnaldi retirement ends Italian battle
Lorenzo Musetti def. Matteo Arnaldi 6-0, 3-1 RET.
Lorenzo Musetti delivered one of the most impressive starts of the opening day, producing a dominant first set against Matteo Arnaldi before his compatriot was forced to retire early in the second set.
The victory marked an encouraging return for Musetti, who has endured a difficult period in 2026 due to injury setbacks. The former World No. 5 missed important tournaments while recovering from physical issues, making his return in Washington an important opportunity to rebuild rhythm and confidence.
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There were no signs of rust in the opening stages. Musetti played with freedom and precision, winning the first set 6-0 after breaking Arnaldi twice and completely controlling the pace of the all-Italian clash.
Although Arnaldi was unable to continue, Musetti’s level in the opening set provided a positive sign as he looks to rediscover the form that helped him reach the Top 5 and compete deep at the biggest tournaments.
Nishikori turns back the clock with comeback win over Shang
Kei Nishikori def. Shang Juncheng 6-7, 6-3, 6-4
Kei Nishikori produced one of the most emotional victories of the day, overcoming Shang Juncheng in three sets during what will be his final season on the ATP Tour.
The Japanese star announced earlier this year that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season, bringing an end to a remarkable career that saw him become Japan’s greatest men’s tennis player, reach World No. 4 and make history by reaching the 2014 US Open final.
Against Shang, Nishikori showed the experience and competitiveness that defined his career. After losing a tightly contested opening set in a tiebreak, the veteran raised his level from the baseline and began controlling longer exchanges.
Nishikori’s patience eventually paid off as he forced a deciding set and maintained his composure in the key moments to complete a comeback victory after nearly three hours. With every match carrying extra significance during his farewell season, the win represented another memorable chapter in his final campaign.
Kei Nishikori celebrating a point at the Madrid Open
Tabilo survives Griekspoor battle in three sets
Alejandro Tabilo def. Tallon Griekspoor 7-6, 4-6, 6-4
Alejandro Tabilo secured a hard-earned victory over Tallon Griekspoor in one of the closest matches of the opening day, surviving a three-set battle decided by small margins.
The Chilean took control of the opening set after a tight contest on serve, dominating the closing stages of the tiebreak after Griekspoor had briefly moved ahead. Neither player created many opportunities early, with both defending the limited break chances that appeared.
Griekspoor responded in the second set, finally finding the breakthrough when the set appeared destined for another tiebreak. However, Tabilo recovered immediately in the decider, earning an early break and protecting his advantage with confident serving. The victory sends Tabilo into the second round, where he awaits the winner of Frances Tiafoe and Terence Atmane.
Tabilo is ranked No. 28 in the live rankings and is looking to secure his place as a smunder in the upcoming US Open.
Vukić delivers dominant opening performance against Svajda
Aleksandar Vukić def. Zachary Svajda 6-3, 6-1
Aleksandar Vukić completed a dominant opening-day performance, cruising past Zachary Svajda in straight sets. The Australian controlled the match from the baseline, using his power and consistency to prevent Svajda from finding any rhythm.
After securing the first set, Vukić accelerated in the second, dropping only one game to complete one of the most convincing wins of the opening round. The Australian – who entered the main draw after coming through qualifying – will face former world number 4 Lorenzo Msuetti in his first tournament after several months out with injury.
Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
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