Taylor Fritz won 6-4, 6-4 against Emilio Nava in the Cincinnati Open 2025
Fritz is the first US men's player among the top four seeds in Cincinnati Open since 2007
Frances Tifoe also won in straight sets against Roberto Carballes-Baena
Taylor Fritz beat compatriot Emilio Nava 6-4 6-4 to kickstart his campaign at the Cincinnati Open, where he is the first American man among the top four seeds since 2007.
Not since Andy Roddick 18 years ago has a home player been among the four top-ranked men in Ohio, and Fritz showed his credentials with a solid 6-4 6-4 win on Saturday.
Fritz's service game was key to him reaching the Canadian Open semi-finals earlier this week, and it was a similar story here as he only gave up two break points.
Having staved off both of those opportunities, Fritz won 81% of his first-serve points and 76% when forced into a second serve, with only two breaks required for victory.
Fritz will take on Lorenzo Sonego in the next round, after the 31st-seeded Italian beat Zizou Bergs in straight sets.
He was not the only American to thrill the home crowd, as Frances Tiafoe overcame Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4 6-3.
Tiafoe, who lost to Jannik Sinner in the 2024 final, had 17 break points and converted six of them, with the Spaniard limited to just a 34% second-serve success rate.
Joao Fonseca also advanced after his opponent, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, retired while trailing 7-6 (7-4) 5-4.
Data Debrief: Fritz out in front
Fritz's victory was his 20th in ATP-level matches since the start of the grass swing in June, the most of any player.
After semi-final exits at Wimbledon and the Canadian Open – as well as a run to the quarters in Washington D.C. – Fritz's next goal will be a second ATP 1000 crown.
