Fritz Rallies Past Harris As US Open Heats Up

The electric atmosphere at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York was palpable on August 27, 2025, as the US Open men’s singles second round delivered a volley of drama, upsets, and commanding performances. Among the stars shining brightest was Taylor Fritz, the American fourth seed, who overcame a shaky start to secure his place in the third round with a four-set win over South Africa’s Lloyd Harris.

Fritz, currently ranked fourth in the world, came into the match as the clear favorite, but Harris—ranked 353rd—wasn’t about to roll over quietly. The South African stunned the home crowd by taking the first set 6-4, capitalizing on Fritz’s early nerves and some uncharacteristic unforced errors. For a moment, it looked as if an upset might be brewing.

But champions are made of sterner stuff, and Fritz demonstrated exactly why he’s considered one of the top contenders at this year’s US Open. He clawed his way back into the match, taking the second set in a tense tiebreak 7-6 (7/3). From there, the American found his groove, dictating play with a blistering forehand and a rock-solid serve. Fritz closed out the match by winning the next two sets 6-2 and 6-4, putting the result beyond doubt and sending the New York crowd into raptures.

With the 3-1 victory (4-6, 7-6(7/3), 6-2, 6-4), Fritz advances confidently into the third round, keeping American hopes alive in the men’s draw. His performance, particularly after dropping the first set, underscored his resilience and ability to handle pressure on one of tennis’s grandest stages.

Elsewhere on the courts, the day was packed with gripping contests and a few surprises. Second seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain delivered a clinical performance against Italy’s Mattia Bellucci, cruising to a straight-sets victory 6-1, 6-0, 6-3. Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, looked unstoppable, barely giving his opponent a sniff of opportunity. His powerful baseline game and deft touch at the net left Bellucci scrambling from the outset.

Novak Djokovic, the seventh seed from Serbia, also booked his place in the next round with a workmanlike 3-1 win over American Zachary Svajda (6-7(5/7), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1). Djokovic dropped the first set in a tiebreak, but as he’s done so many times before, he recalibrated and stormed through the next three sets, leaving little doubt about his championship pedigree. The Serbian legend remains a formidable presence in the draw as he continues his quest for another Grand Slam title.

The day’s action wasn’t without its share of marathon matches. Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff and Denmark’s Holger Rune (seeded 11th) battled for five sets, with Struff ultimately prevailing 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. The see-saw affair had fans on the edge of their seats, as both players traded momentum and spectacular rallies deep into the fifth set.

France’s Ugo Blanchet also found himself in a five-set thriller, edging past Czech seed Jakub Mensik 6-7(2/7), 7-6(7/5), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(10/7). Over on Court 17, Swiss player Jerome Kim pulled off a minor upset, knocking out American 30th seed Brandon Nakashima in another five-set battle (4-6, 7-6(7/2), 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(10/8)).

American fans had plenty to cheer about beyond Fritz’s victory. Seventeenth seed Frances Tiafoe advanced after a hard-fought four-set win over compatriot Martin Damm (6-4, 7-5, 6-7(8/10), 7-5). Ben Shelton, the sixth seed, breezed past Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets (6-4, 6-2, 6-4), showing why many pundits see him as a dark horse for the title this year.

There were also heartbreaks and surprises. Norway’s twelfth seed Casper Ruud suffered a shock exit at the hands of Belgium’s Raphael Collignon, who came back from two sets to one down to clinch a five-set victory (6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5). Ruud, a finalist at several majors in recent years, just couldn’t find his best tennis when it mattered most.

Other notable results included France’s Adrian Mannarino advancing past Australia’s Jordan Thompson in four sets, and Czech seed Jiri Lehecka defeating Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry 3-1. Tomas Machac, seeded 21st from the Czech Republic, dispatched Brazil’s Joao Fonseca in straight sets, while Italy’s Luciano Darderi, seeded 32nd, overcame American Elliot Spizzirri in four sets.

As the dust settled on a jam-packed day, the men’s singles draw was left wide open, with several favorites moving through but a handful of seeds sent packing. The unpredictability of the Grand Slam stage was on full display—one never knows who might catch fire or falter under the bright lights of Flushing Meadows.

Looking ahead, the third round promises even greater excitement. Taylor Fritz’s next opponent has yet to be determined, but his comeback performance against Harris will no doubt boost his confidence. Fritz has been knocking on the door of Grand Slam success for a while, and with the home crowd behind him, he could be poised for a deep run this year.

Meanwhile, eyes will remain firmly fixed on Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, both of whom have the pedigree and poise to go all the way. With each passing round, the intensity ratchets up and the margin for error narrows. Who will rise to the occasion as the US Open heads into its most critical stages?

For now, Taylor Fritz and his fellow contenders march on, fueled by ambition, adrenaline, and the roar of the New York faithful. The US Open continues to deliver tennis at its unpredictable, thrilling best, and fans can expect more fireworks as the tournament unfolds.