Taylor Fritz’s bid to nab his first Grand Slam win on the French Open ended virtually earlier than it began.
Daniel Altmaier shocked Fritz – the top-seeded American within the event – in a four-set first-round match Monday at Roland Garros in Paris. Fritz solely gained the second set earlier than his elimination within the 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 defeat.
Fritz, 27, was ranked No. 4 on this planet and regarded as his residence nation’s greatest likelihood after successful three matches in final yr’s French Open. The final American to win the French Open was Andre Agassi in 1999.
Fritz has eight profession event wins however hasn’t constructed on his breakout success of 2024, when he reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon and was the runner-up on the U.S. Open.
It marked the primary time that Fritz has been bounced from the primary spherical of the French Open since 2018.
Fritz reportedly was coping with a proper indirect damage for the previous couple of months, although he declared himself “100%” final week throughout a media session.
And his historical past taking part in on clay is inconsistent and on a latest downturn.
Fritz just lately suffered a first-round loss to Marcus Giron on the Italian Open and a fourth-round defeat in opposition to Casper Ruud on the Madrid Open.
Fritz made 41 unforced errors in opposition to Altmaier, who entered the event ranked No. 66 by the ATP.
It was arguably the largest win of the Altmaier’s profession. The German made it to the fourth spherical of the French Open in 2024 however has not superior out of the second spherical in any of the opposite three Grand Slams.
“It was very particular,” Altmaier stated afterward. “I believe I used to be working actually exhausting the previous weeks to get confidence, making ready myself for these sorts of matches. I really feel like I’m able to play whoever goes to face me. I’m actually completely satisfied to get this primary win and I actually love my efficiency.”
