Cerundolo overturns two-set deficit to eliminate Fritz at US Open

Francisco Cerundolo recovered from two sets down to eliminate ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the third round of the US Open, winning 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Guardian reported that the Argentine turned around a match that had appeared firmly under Fritz’s control and secured his place in the fourth round.

Watch the highlights:

Fritz won the opening two sets and then broke Cerundolo in the first game of the third, extending his advantage at the start of what could have been the final set. Cerundolo responded by breaking back, taking the third set and carrying the change in momentum through the fourth to force a decider.

The American still had a major opportunity in the fifth set. According to The Guardian, Fritz held three break points that would have put him 5-3 ahead and allowed him to serve for the match. Cerundolo saved that game, then completed the comeback when Fritz sent a backhand beyond the baseline on match point.

The defeat ended another US Open campaign for Fritz after several deep runs in New York. He reached the final in 2024, becoming the first American man to contest the tournament’s singles final since Andy Roddick in 2006. He also made the quarter-finals in 2023 and 2025, losing to Novak Djokovic on both occasions. Fritz had risen as high as world No. 4 in 2025.

Cerundolo’s victory came on a difficult day for prominent American players. Madison Keys also lost after holding a commanding position against Zheng Qinwen. Keys led 5-0 in the deciding set before Zheng completed a 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 comeback to reach the last 16.

Zheng, who came through qualifying after returning from elbow surgery, advanced to a fourth-round meeting with Iga Swiatek. Swiatek reached that stage by beating Marie Bouzkova 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), saving three set points in the second set. Elsewhere, 24th seed Anastasia Potapova defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 7-5, adding another notable result to the third-round schedule.