Taylor Fritz cruises past Tomas Machac, reaches third straight US Open quarterfinal

Taylor Fritz remains in the running at the US Open after a comfortable victory over Tomas Machac, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, to return to the tournament quarterfinals. The 2024 runner-up is on a great run at Flushing Meadows, reaching the quarters for the third consecutive year and for the 8th time in his career at a Grand Slam tournament.

The world No. 4 is once again the only American man left in the competition and is now waiting to find out his opponent, who will be the winner of the match between 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff.

It was a tight first set in which Fritz had the first break opportunity while leading 3-2, but he couldn't convert it. The American—as is his habit—was dominant, winning 94% of his first-serve points, similar to his opponent's 77%, though Machac only got 41% of his first serves in, compared to Fritz's 62%. That's how the American got his second break opportunity, and the Czech player couldn't defend it. Fritz took a 6-4 lead with a single break point/set point converted, even though Machac had been quite consistent with his serve.

The American quickly sought a new break at the start of the second set, putting Machac in danger just a few minutes in. However, the Czech once again showed mental toughness, preventing himself from falling behind, improving his serve effectiveness, and staying in the fight for a good part of the set.

Still, Fritz once again got the results he was looking for by waiting for his moment. With the score at 4-3 in his favor, Machac's serve showed some doubt, and the American got the break, putting him up 5-3. The American showed no weakness and took the set, once again getting the break in the final moments. He hit a total of 6 aces and 12 winners, against Machac's single ace and 5 winners.

In the third set, things took a turn when in the third game, Machac once again gave up a break opportunity to his opponent. Fritz showed his effectiveness in key moments and got the advantage that would lead to victory. The 27-year-old fulfilled his responsibility from then on and held on to his serve, without doing much from the return side for a good portion of the set.

Machac had to serve at 3-5 in the third set, and a couple of unforced errors at the moment of highest pressure ended up costing him the match. Fritz closed it out with his 4th break in 8 opportunities and without having given up a single break point to his opponent. 14 aces to Machac's four showed the superiority of Fritz's serve, who won 91% of his first-serve points throughout the match. It was a 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory for the American, who returns to the US Open quarterfinals for the third consecutive year.

The next opponent for Fritz could be none other than the Serbian Novak Djokovic (7th seed), although he first has to overcome the inspired Jan-Lennard Struff, who came from the qualifiers. The German has already defeated heavyweights like Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe and will be looking to score another upset against the 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

The 4-time US Open champion has appeared to be far from 100% physically but has secured wins without too many issues against young Americans Learner Tien and Zachary Svajda, and the veteran Cameron Norrie in the third round. "Nole" is looking to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the 14th time in his career.