US Open: Cerundolo Beats Fritz From Two Sets Down

American tennis star Taylor Fritz suffered a stunning upset at the US Open on Saturday, September 5, 2026, losing to Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in the third round. The ninth-seeded Fritz, who was the 2024 US Open runner-up, was defeated 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a match where he held a commanding two-set lead and a break in the third set. The loss marks Fritz's earliest exit from his home major in four years and is a significant blow to his hopes of ending a 23-year drought for American men in Grand Slam singles titles. Fritz had entered the match in strong form, having not dropped a set in his previous two rounds and arriving on a 10-1 run on American soil since July. He appeared to be cruising toward the fourth round after saving 11 of 13 break points in the first two sets. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the third set. After Fritz broke Cerundolo early, the Argentine rallied, breaking back twice to take the set 6-3. Cerundolo, the 24th seed, continued to elevate his game, capitalizing on Fritz's uncharacteristic errors and winning the final two sets 6-4, 6-4.