NEW YORK – Argentine tennis star Francisco Cerundolo told reporters on Saturday that the men’s draw at the U.S. Open has never looked more open. After rallying from two sets down to defeat ninth‑seed Taylor Fritz 3‑6, 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑4, 6‑4 in the opening round at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Cerundolo said the tournament now resembles a “wide‑open” field where any player can win.
Five‑Set Thriller Highlights Depth of Tour
Both 28‑year‑olds entered the match as the 24th seed (Cerundolo) and the ninth seed (Fritz). After falling behind 3‑6, 4‑6, the Argentine turned the tide with a relentless third set, then held serve to close out the next two. The victory marked one of the early upsets of the U.S. Open, and Cerundolo became the first Argentine to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
“It shows you how even the circuit is right now, how tight every match is, how difficult it is to win matches, because anything can happen right now,” Cerundolo said. “A lot of players are playing good. The level, it’s super tight. It’s open to everyone. Everyone can win.”
Top Seeds Falling Early
Cerundolo’s win adds to a string of early exits for high‑profile players. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Canadian star Felix Auger‑Aliassime and Australian Alex de Minaur have all been eliminated, leaving only four top‑10 seeds remaining in the draw.
In the next round, Cerundolo will face Belgian qualifier Alexander Blockx, who also pulled off an upset by defeating fifth‑seed Flavio Cobolli. The two have met before, with Blockx winning their last encounter at the Madrid Masters 1000 earlier this year.
Looking Ahead
Speaking to Argentine media, Cerundolo emphasized his ambition to go deeper. “I’m going for more, I’m not settling,” he said, expressing confidence that his momentum can carry him further into the tournament.
With the draw now “blown wide open,” Cerundolo’s performance underscores the growing parity on the ATP Tour. Fans can expect more surprise results as the tournament progresses, reinforcing the notion that today’s men’s tennis is more competitive than ever.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
