Fritz strengthens US Open title credentials with dominant win over Bellucci

Taylor Fritz turned another U.S. Open match into a one-sided display, sweeping aside Italy's Mattia Bellucci 6-0, 6-1, 6-1 in 98 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The ninth seed has now advanced through his first two matches without losing a set, strengthening his standing among the contenders hoping to end a 23-year wait for an American men's Grand Slam singles champion. Andy Roddick was the last American man to win one, at Flushing Meadows.

Fritz controlled the match from the baseline and gave the unseeded Bellucci little time to settle. He took the opening set in 35 minutes without conceding a game on the tournament's main showcourt. Bellucci, ranked 95th in the world, managed to hold serve in a tight game and get on the scoreboard in the second set, but Fritz quickly restored complete control.

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I came out feeling really good. I felt confident with the way I was playing. In the whole match, there wasn't much nerves. I was aggressive and it felt great.

The 2024 runner-up closed out the final two sets comfortably and kept his pursuit of a first Grand Slam title on course. He will meet 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo in the third round.

"I came out feeling really good. I felt confident with the way I was playing. In the whole match, there wasn't much nerves. I was aggressive and it felt great," Fritz said. He added that playing such a match on Arthur Ashe Stadium was a special experience: "It's fun, playing a match like that on Arthur Ashe Stadium. I don't know if there's many more things better than that, it's a great feeling."

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It's fun, playing a match like that on Arthur Ashe Stadium. I don't know if there's many more things better than that, it's a great feeling.