Francisco Cerundolo mounted a remarkable third-set recovery to defeat Taylor Fritz 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round of the US Open on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Argentine 24th seed erased a two-set deficit to eliminate the ninth-seeded American in a match that saw Fritz squander multiple opportunities to close out victory.
Fritz dominated the opening exchanges, establishing commanding control through the first two sets and breaking Cerundolo's serve at the start of the third. The momentum appeared irreversible as the American pressed toward the finish line. However, a single lapse in focus during one service game proved catastrophic. Once Fritz lost his rhythm, he spent the next two hours unable to regain it, ultimately surrendering the match as Cerundolo's resilience overwhelmed the home favourite's fading resistance.
In the deciding set, Fritz held three break points that would have given him a 5-3 lead and the opportunity to serve for the match. Each opportunity slipped away, and the psychological shift proved decisive. When his final backhand sailed well beyond the baseline, Fritz immediately buried his face in his hands, the gesture capturing the magnitude of his collapse.
A Missed Opportunity in a Wide-Open Tournament
The timing of Fritz's exit compounds the disappointment. According to the tournament draw, this third-round encounter pitted the ninth-seeded Fritz against the 24th-seeded Cerundolo, making it a seeded showdown rather than an early upset. The 28-year-old American had advanced through earlier rounds, defeating Darwin Blanch and Matteo Bellucci to reach this stage.
Fritz's loss arrives at a particularly frustrating juncture. Having reached the US Open singles final in 2024—the first American man to do so since Andy Roddick in 2006—he entered this year's tournament as one of the tournament favourites. Ranked as high as No. 4 last year, Fritz remains the most successful American male player of his generation. Yet major titles have consistently eluded him, with quarter-final losses to Novak Djokovic in both 2023 and 2025 marking his previous US Open campaigns.
This year's tournament presented a genuinely different landscape. Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 and four-time grand slam champion, is absent due to injury. The now 39-year-old Novak Djokovic withdrew from the competition. Carlos Alcaraz, the seven-time grand slam champion and defending champion, is competing in his first tournament back from a four-month injury layoff. In the absence of an obvious favourite in peak grand slam form, the tournament offered genuine opportunity for any player harbouring aspirations of claiming a major title. Fritz was high on the list of contenders positioned to capitalise on these circumstances.
Fritz's frustration was evident in his post-match remarks.
I don't even know what to say. I don't really want to talk to anybody, see anybody. I kind of just need to, like, get out for a couple days and then just kind of get back to work. I don't know how I let that happen today.
Cerundolo's Resurgence and Recent Form
Cerundolo's comeback victory marks a significant statement from the Argentine, who arrives at the US Open in excellent form. The 24th seed claimed his career-best title at Queen's Club in June 2026, defeating Tommy Paul in the longest final in the tournament's history. That breakthrough victory underscored his growing capabilities on the professional circuit.
The head-to-head record between the two players entering this match stood at 1-1, with both previous meetings contested on clay courts. This hard-court encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium represented their first meeting on a different surface, and Cerundolo's ability to adapt his game proved decisive.
What Happens Next
Cerundolo advances to the fourth round of the US Open, where he will face the winner of the corresponding bracket section. Fritz's departure from the tournament ends his hopes of capitalising on the weakened field and represents a significant setback in his pursuit of a maiden grand slam title.
