Fritz beats young compatriot Blanch in easy US Open start

NEW YORK, Sept 1 : American Taylor Fritz harnessed his mighty serve to roll into the second round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday, beating compatriot Darwin Blanch 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the second match of the day at Arthur Ashe Stadium.A finalist in 2024, Fritz looked right at home in New York against the 18-year-old wildcard, hitting 14 aces to set up a meeting with either Mattia Bellucci of Italy or Hungarian Zsombor Piros."It's never easy to come out and play another young American," said Fritz, who had a withering appraisal of his own return game."He gave me a lot of opportunities with some doubles, with some second serves." Fritz had a mixed run-up to New York, winning in D.C. before losing his Montreal opener, but he had no issues on Tuesday, as he dropped only one first-serve point in the ope