NEW YORK — Taylor Fritz continued his impressive run at the US Open with a commanding performance against Italy's Mattia Bellucci in the second round, demonstrating his skill and confidence on the court. After a straightforward victory over Darwin Blanch in the first round, Fritz maintained his momentum, defeating Bellucci in a swift match that lasted only one hour and 38 minutes at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Fritz, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, showcased his dominance with a scoreline of 6-0, 6-1, 6-1, leaving little doubt about his superiority. From the outset, he appeared unfazed and in complete control, a stark contrast to the nerves he experienced in his opening match. After the match, Fritz reflected on his performance, noting that he felt a strong connection with the ball right from the first swing. "You just have a very good feeling when the ball’s on your strings," he stated. "You feel like you have very good control... I knew it from the first game. I was hitting my forehand really clean and aggressive."
Throughout the match, Fritz was flawless in his service games, converting all ten of his service points and achieving an impressive 82% success rate on return games against Bellucci. The Italian, ranked No. 95, struggled to find his rhythm, showing signs of frustration particularly after a double fault while trailing in the second set. Despite a promising first-round victory over Zsombor Piros, Bellucci could not match Fritz's sharp performance.
The match unfolded at a rapid pace, with the first set concluding in just 35 minutes, followed by the second and third sets lasting 33 and 30 minutes, respectively. This quick victory is particularly beneficial for Fritz as he aims to conserve energy for the later rounds of the tournament. "I feel great. I think it is really important to not kill yourself in the first couple matches because you need to have the energy to potentially do that later on in the week," he explained. Fritz emphasized the importance of managing his stamina, especially in a Grand Slam setting where recovery can be challenging.
Fritz's performance against Bellucci was a stark contrast to their previous encounter at the Boss Open in Stuttgart, where Fritz edged out a victory in a much tighter match, winning 5-7, 7-5, 7-5. He acknowledged that while Bellucci played exceptionally well on grass, the hardcourt conditions at the US Open favored his style of play. "I think grass makes it so his serve is good enough to where I can’t really get on it... Even though I love grass, I do think these conditions are better for me," Fritz remarked.
Looking ahead, Fritz will face Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo, who is ranked No. 25, in the third round. Cerundolo advanced after defeating Filip Misolic in straight sets and then overcoming Jan-Lennard Struff in a grueling five-set match. If Fritz can replicate his performance from Thursday, he will be a formidable opponent for Cerundolo, who will need to bring his best game to challenge the American.
As Fritz progresses in the tournament, he remains focused on maintaining his form. "I can’t really nitpick," he said, reflecting on his strong showing. With confidence on his side, Fritz is poised to make a deep run at the US Open.
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