Taylor Fritz crushed hopes for American men’s Grand Slam drought to end

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

Taylor Fritz was eliminated from the US Open after losing a five-set match to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo, ending his attempt to become the first American male Grand Slam champion since 2003. Other American men like Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul remain in the draw, while Coco Gauff leads the remaining U.S. contenders on the women’s side.

Taylor Fritz’s bid to end the 23-year Grand Slam drought for American men came to an unexpected end at the US Open, as he was defeated by Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in a five-set match that concluded Wednesday. The final score was 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in favor of Cerundolo, halting Fritz’s run in the tournament held at Flushing Meadows, New York.

Fritz, the ninth seed, entered the tournament as one of the most promising American contenders, having reached the 2024 Australian Open final earlier this year. His earlier performances in the US Open had been strong, including dominant straight-sets victories. However, Cerundolo, seeded 24th, fought back from two sets down, capitalizing on errors and a lapse in Fritz’s confidence starting in the third set. The match’s turning point came in the fifth set when Fritz's frustration grew, culminating in a crucial double fault that allowed Cerundolo a decisive service break.

The United States last saw a male Grand Slam champion in Andy Roddick, who won the 2003 US Open and has been vocal about the challenge of ending the long drought. Roddick previously expressed enthusiasm about the eventual breakthrough, which now falls to a new generation of American men competing in New York.

Among those advancing to the second week are Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, and newcomer Alex Michelsen. Shelton, 23, won the Canadian Open Masters tournament last month, signaling his potential as a major threat, although his US Open campaign has been marked by tough, late-night matches. He is set to face former top-10 player Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round. Tiafoe, a recent finalist at the Cincinnati Open, remains in strong form with a 9-0 winning record on the Louis Armstrong Court and will face Russia’s Daniil Medvedev next. Paul, the only American to have reached Grand Slam quarter-finals on clay, grass, and hard courts, is scheduled to meet world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, providing one of the toughest challenges among the remaining U.S. players.

Several American players have downplayed expectations, cautious about the pressure of ending the drought. Shelton remarked that the subject frequently comes up during press events, emphasizing that the field includes many top contenders beyond American hopefuls.

The men’s Grand Slam scene has been dominated over the past two decades by players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, making it difficult for emerging stars to break through. Currently, figures such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz continue to shape the competitive landscape.

On the women’s side, American players experienced a disappointing day, with Madison Keys and 2025 finalist Amanda Anisimova both bowing out. However, Coco Gauff, the most recent American female to win a major title, remains a strong contender for her second US Open trophy. Rising star Iva Jovic is also competing overnight as the tournament progresses.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.