US OPEN: Taylor Fritz Moves into round 16 with victory over Jakub Mensik

With a 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday, Taylor Fritz extended his bone-crushing run through the opening week of the US Open by interrupting the 18th birthday celebration of Czech player Jakub Mensik.

Fritz has reached the last 16 at Flushing Meadows for the first time in eight appearances, dropping just 13 games en route. The World No. 9 will next play #NextGen ATP Swiss Dominic Stricker, who by contrast has played 14 sets to reach the second week of a major for the first time.

“It’s so important,” Fritz said of his comfortable passage to the fourth round. “My body is going to be feeling a lot better than someone who’s had a couple of five setters back-to-back, so it’s always something you’re looking for when you’re looking to make a deep run at a Slam, to get through these matches without too much fatigue.”

“It’s never easy playing these early-round matches when you’re the favourite and there’s more pressure on you and you’re expected to win. It feels great to play these three matches and get through them the way I’ve been getting through them. It gives me a lot of confidence moving forward.”

In the first round Fritz defeated countryman Steve Johnson 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 and also dropped just five games in the second round against Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. He has faced (and saved) just three break points during the tournament.

The World No. 9 will next play Swiss Dominic Stricker, who by contrast has played 14 sets to reach the second week of a major for the first time.