it's a good opening point it was some return that Taylor Fritz hit that's looking those those wins so far for Taylor Fritz and uh two of them don't surprise me all that much ug Carabelli good players Kos good player but bartini that straight set win against bartini I thought was a good one for him although I think that Casper rude a little more equipped from the Baseline than bartin especially on the backhand side obviously just keep things neutral more often then attack of course it's the idea so nice positive start for casparo quick fire hold to love first game you mentioned just a minute ago jite you weren't sure how far Taylor Fritz could go but he could potentially go all the way do you think he believes he can go all the way I do think he believes that I think he keeps putting himself now in the position to to have a great tournament at the slams he's done so at all these other tournaments had great results he's due for a breakthrough he's kind of quietly made it here he hasn't played on ash yet so kind of just doing the work had a little chat with Mikey Russell Iron Mike who's been his coach for some time now and uh sort of asked what what what the idea without giving away Secrets uh is today and it's probably no secret uh says he has to make sure to play aggressive we've already seen that there's Iron Mike in the left T to play aggressive dictate the rallies side to side try to get out of long points the long points will eventually favor Casper a little bit wants him to take the ball a little bit earlier we have already seen that in the return of serve he's gone big on the forehand so far idea is of course try to take a little time from Casper who likes more time you see Casper maybe back up a little bit to give himself the spacing that he likes to play with 15 off seen Casper a little closer than normal returning serve right up on that Baseline how about that good luck when he's throwing down 131 mph first serves 1 15 Taylor wants to win a lot of rallies like that one where Casper makes a little bit of an air on the sideline goes for a little bit too much the fritz back end is so consistent you get the sneaky slider he'll throw in as well up the line C 15 [Applause] game three that's big from Taylor Fritz 130 mph Ace One game all first set quarterfinalist here 12 months ago was Taylor lost out to Novak jovic in the end again actually made the quarterfinals with without dropping a set in the tournament he cruised through his first four rounds last year Caspar rud lost early second round to uh to Jung xien of course having made the final 12 months prior to that where if he had beaten Carlos alarz in that final he would have become the world number one for the very first time in his career as it surprised you a little bit Jam might the success that Casper roues had especially on on a hard court I think he's a determined individual I think he's put a lot of time into being extremely fit I like how he competes he's got a very even keill doesn't he with his his mental state of mind so not overly surprised obviously his his game suited for the clay but he did some hard work to make it work on the hard courts to doesn't seem like he wants to do that same work for the ground it doesn't just plays Wimbledon doesn't uh doesn't play the leading leadup events maybe that'll change in the future the history of our sport born on those courts game two very straightforward service games for caspero to start off this one has dropped a point as yet and he leads two one for time 50 he does have nice variety on serf Taylor Fritz he can bang them down as we've already seen at 130 plus but that one just 102 Sliding Away from Casper rude here's that ability to change direction on the back nice placement right in the corner notice he didn't go for the line ended up winning the point with it but I don't think he was going for a winner well we're already seeing that advice and sort of mindset that Michael Russell wanted for this match pretty often he's going big on the forehand Fritz he is flattening it out a little bit out with that mentality the margins are a little bit less a few missed ones that could really pay off however if he can lock in with it goal of Casper of course is but that great spin you can create off both the four the backhand and especially the forehand get it out of the strike zone make it more difficult for T Fritz to flatten those shots out game three so forit levels things up two games all two games all first time remember the US Open app is still there to download follow your favorite players you can track scores watch match highlights get player news and new this year you can watch live 3D views of all the singles matches as well it's available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store as well 15 left neither player already came into the US Open with a huge amount of form on the North American hard cour of course both of these two went to Paris to play the Olympic Games so I think that was probably a large reason to do with the uh the slow start back onto the hardcore Caspar actually had to withdraw from Montreal ni quality hitting from Taylor Fritz great backand there good control of that rally a little bit of a longer Point probably the best exchange we've had so far it's interesting Adam you bring up the Olympics it took a lot out of a lot of people yeah jokovic came here not at his best caritos not at his best Fritz has found it but they didn't really play as much tennis after the Olympics of course those not great results in the did you just put it down to the change of going back onto the clay after the grass or just emotionally what the Olympic Games takes I think emotionally I think that the surface changes can be difficult to deal with I think that it's a lot of time spent overseas for a lot of people that's uh all the way over there through the through the clay Court Season the Grass Court season and then there's the Olympics I think that's just mentally and physically it takes its toll we've seen it numerous times through multiple players really kind of making that commitment to play struggling a little [Applause] bit you're sort of forced to play the Masters events and uh you want to you definitely want to but with the Olympics added in there it just it just makes the schedule really tough for Taylor at least he came away from the Olympic Games with a medal of course won the bronze medal in the doubles along side Tommy Paul yeah it's a beautiful backand to come through the game from Casper Roode drops his first point on serve but so far started this one very nicely and he leads 3-2 for all time so good opening qut of an hour so this one certainly in that last game just found as though both players were just beginning to get into a bit of a rhythm that right there is a perfect example of how coach and player want to play this match big surve big forehand take it to Casper a little bit or a lot we' seen a little bit different Casper rud today he was right up on the Baseline pretty often kind of like it he has the ability to back up if he wants to that's that's in the pocket he can do that whenever he wants he's one of the most proficient at that strategy in the world 4 Taylor does have the ability with that slight serve to chop you up if you are too far back he'll cut you out wide in that de Court especially all day long be tough for Fritz to or for rude to track it down on this fast report ability to come up a little closer takes away some of that just got to be ready for it when the big serve are coming oh don't think anyone heard that Fritz was pretty convinced that he'd come through the game game three so Taylor Fritz for the first time able to hold to love so dominating in the early stages here perhaps you probably would have expected coming into this [Applause] there's Mikey Russell Iron Mike my best buddies hear him saying if stay neutral if you have to but otherwise try to come forward don't go backward too much good advice did impressed so far with how well Roode is taking care of his serve he's serving at 71% winning 90% of those first serves 9 for 10 and though as you mentioned hasn't given up a lot of points on Ser just like that one all the points on the second SER four for four [Applause] when Mikey first started working with Taylor Jam might did he kind of know that he had this kind of player in him I think he did know that I think that Fritz is happy to grind out there and then try to get more offensive is is one of the ideals that both uh Russell and of course Paul anacon still consultant on the team Paul was a little bit more involved for a while and he's still around and uh what a good guy to have to bounce things off of and he shows up for practices and tournaments as [Applause] well oh well done beautiful Change Up from Taylor prin and I don't think casparo saw coming that drop shot what spectacular disguise on the dropper there 15 all that offense held it to the last second we're looking at a very fast individual in Casper rou couldn't do enough with it little baby opportunity here for the American 30 old oh be a little frustrated with that hit such a big return off that forand and there is Christian roods Casper's dad course former player as well made the second round here at the US Open a couple of times frit starting to make some inroads hanging around in this game our first Deuce of the match and either player serve out Advantage r [Applause] out game three well by some considerable distance the hardest that Casper rude has had to work so far to hold serve half look there for Fritz but rud does a good job to come through and stays out e e had Casper at 1530 but the Norwegian able to dig himself out of just a little bit of a hole in front of a packed Armstrong crowd on a Labor Day weekend here in New York Taylor Fritz with new balls lock Casper sure has done a great job so far of adjusting to the PACE that he's seen come back back across the net from Fritz has returned well also L the balls back in play again with that first serve he was on the Baseline there trying to return it step way back for the second couple of loose ones L 30 so we've just seen rude holds from 1530 Fritz has got a hold from love 30 now 15 to 1 there's that good serve out wide think about that match against Jerry shung for for rude coming back from two sets to love I think really locked him in this is the best he's looked oh just wide and the first break points of this first set go the way of Casper [Applause] rude you see a mouth go in there that's exactly what I would have done C lost control that red it a little bit it's a makeable return something he normally would not miss not much on that Ser only 92 milph yeah he almost kind of premeditated I think that he was going to go to that chip return and had a lot of time there just to hit over the top of the forand guarantee he's going to back up on this oh can't believe can't believe he missed both those Returns what an opportunity a good strike on it pressure off Fritz there not happen to hit a ball and [Applause] vage is it weird to say that Casper is almost returning better closer to the line than he is when he's further back yeah I think you're probably right at least so far in this match just a small slice of what the match will be in the end but he's doing a great job when he's close so impressed a little shorter swing on those fast balls coming his way it's incredible defending from Taylor britz after a high quality back hand that clipped the line from Roode you unbelievable defense Adam I agree those back hands the one right off the line what a tough rally this match is giving us what we thought we would get great exchanges yep it's done well little net CAU there but it didn't put rude off and [Applause] vage Casper has such great control when he's close up there to the net there a nice little shot coming forward off that dropper and a good volley sure why he put the hand I was just wondering why was Casper apologizing apologizing for his awesome shot well okay Fritz was the one to hit the net so good from Caspar and eventually the pressure tells fourth break point opportunity and Roode will now serve for the opening set rud leads five games to three first set this offensive mindset and positioning that we're seeing from Casper Roode is boy has it been effective I don't know if I saw this coming he's right up there on the line so often he's taking time away from Taylor which is the plan for team Taylor out 51 hitting the spots nicely as well on the serve Casper yeah only two points lost behind his first serve only two points lost behind his second so far it's been a little too much of that 14th unforced error that for Taylor Fritz just six winners to counteract that four of those six winners have actually been Aces so only two off the ground 4 L in just 33 minutes Casper rud has three set points let game so first set belongs to the number eight seed the Norwegian Casper rud blinking your miss it stuff just 34 minutes on the clock Taylor Fritz has just struggle to get going so far and rude takes the opener by six games to three [Applause] 51 [Applause] that's not a bad start can he complete the set oh game three Aces and a clean backand winner that'll do for Taylor Fritz first game second set anything you'd like to see from Taylor in this second set J Mike well the strategy is going to remain the same it's whether he can execute it or not go big in the forehand try to take some time away from Casper which is exactly what rude's done to him staying up on the line with the return of serve getting pretty close to the Baseline on a lot of these rallies Taylor just needs to lock in a little bit more he can't have all those errors that we saw the first set good start there 15 errors as I mentioned in in the first and that's probably has to half that number cuz rud's not giving up a lot 15 [Applause] another big forehand strike from Casper he is moving and striking the ball so well just right up there on the line think about all the spin that comes off that racket often compared to Rafa but a righty practices that ra the do Academy still this day somewhat he said he was never the biggest growing up so he knew that he had to try and get some kind of weapon in his game and that is why he's just worked and worked and worked on that forehand yeah there is the the rough Nadal Academy top that what a place to train and what a person to be inspired by in the doll game so just like he started the open set hold to love you think a little bit about Rafa and there's comparisons to be made between him and Roode as far as the way that rude gets up quickly to the ball hey they'll back up if they have to sometimes they play far back on the return of serve haven't seen as much of that from Casper today he's doing it on the second serves not first serves as much but so fast forward when anything is left short they just eat it up 15 yeah Casper's sister who I think is in his box as well Charlotte she used to train a little bit at the Rafa Nadal Academy good player herself she is actually at the University of South Florida right now [Applause] there's mom over on the left hand side and just in the back row there no I don't think she is here actually Maria is there his girlfriend there she is well done thir C5 guess the question mark is can Casper keep this up I've seen him keep it up before Taylor needs to keep pushing him keep holding serve maybe some opportunities might arise if you can see a few more second serves come his way Casper still Casper's still at 70% of the match 4 he's been habitually incredibly difficult to break has Taylor Fritz game that's a good hold only two players have a higher percentage of service games won in the last year bartini and Yanik sner great two games two leads two1 second be [Applause] [Applause] now [Music] [Applause] time yeah Labor Day weekends here in New York so many people out and about the cue to get into Armstrong as I made my way up to the commentary Booth was absolutely enormous and I think everyone has now got in barely a free seat to be had inside Under The Roof little bit of rain around players been suspended on the outside courts at the moment very fortunate to have the two roofs here 15 left he's just getting a little agitated Fritz missing a few more balls than perhaps he's expecting to to try and stay positive something that Mikey Russell is so good at doing just kind of exudes calmness do myy this man is just all business today such a cool customer Casper Roode when he plays this brand of tennis watch out kind of tennis that brought him to all three of those finals Grand Slams this very event [Applause] 20225 must be feeling pretty confident if he's taking a backand like that on yeah just another very straightforward service game for Casper RS two G second just a quick reminder that usopen.org is your online home for Point BYO live scoring highlights realtime stats and draws you can visit the official tournament site at usopen.org oh caught the line what a ridiculous return from rude yeah a short that hit it inside out that is so difficult to pull off well done by Fritz to deal with it B got on him pretty quick out out of all the amazing American male tennis players at the moment Jam Mike is Taylor Fritz your number one choice to break the 21-year drought for an American men's Grand Slam Champion we got five guys in the top 20 it's pretty amazing yeah uh well I think there's a number of them that have some chances think Tommy Paul's playing outrageously good tennis and TFO coming back to play some extremely highle tennis as well I still think Shelton has the tools to really be chaotic and difficult to play against uh TFO figured him out in five sets this year I do think Taylor is Du they're up against some stiff comptition it sort of feels like the thing if if one of them does break through it's it's sort of been the case one of them breaks through and does it and then another one they can do it yeah exactly so it's kind of like oh some my final of a slam another one does it they've all had these great successes I think it's Taylor's turn to make it to those round that semi-final round if you can get there 14 it Tao's proven that he can do that Tommy Paul has proven that he can do that in Australia and of course Shelton here last year [Applause] yeah not only missing but the the size of the Miss is slightly concerning come dad's in course mom was an exceptional player Taylor's m yeah massive fist pump from Taylor Fritz knows how important it was to sneak through that game but under pressure again casar still playing very nicely right now it's Fritz who leads 32 [Applause] [Applause] [Music] open time than safy [Applause] love the level from Casper rout has just been excellent I still think Fritz can play a little bit better he just been almost there doing better so far in the unforced errors so far at least in this set a lot of forced errors because of how well rude has been playing amount of pressure how close he's playing to the line stifling these ralles he's barely lost points in his service games 24 of 26 behind his first serve seven of 10 behind his second there we go that's what Taylor's looking to do for some affirmation from coach over there it's the right play okay first double only really the second game I can think of that Taylor Fritz has had kind of a semi look here he got to 1530 on one of the rude service games in the opening [Applause] set wow he just wondered if there is a where he might falter a little bit as well as he's played it's hard to keep that up so first time today Taylor Fritz has a look at a break points that's been somewhat gifted to him H I think about how guty of a second serve that was right up the team less margin there of course to hit into it's pretty smart tennis from Roode surprised Taylor a little bit on that second Ser especially after a couple of double faults in this game went for it oh it's just enormous hitting CLI the back of the Baseline with the penultimate forand there and Vantage re see all that spin that comes off the racket bringing it down so much juice on the tennis B comes off the court as well he appreciated how good that was it's just wi is the forehand just breaking down for TA of Fritz but many crisis averted for Casper first time today that he's just had a little bit of adversity on his own deal let ver series so Taylor Fritz with a little bit of work to do out here on Armstrong did just have a look at a break point in that previous game but Jam Michael what how would you kind of assess the opening hour out on Armstrong It's been some just unbelievable tennis from Casper Roode the level is extremely high Taylor's doing a good job of staying with him here in the second set just had one semi loose game wow what a shot of run there again rude just showing off his speed his ability to do things on the run all the way over into that ad Court doubles alley to make the return there he is flying off the court to hit that up the line and that kind of sums up how he's played for the last hour barely put a foot wrong that's so smart massive forehand to push Taylor Fritz back two three M behind the Baseline perfect time to throw in the drop shot Maria love that one this right here is what Michael Russell is trying to avoid with Taylor being offensive getting him too far back in the court where Casper can carve you up he's not one of the kings of clay for no reason he knows when to use the drop shot that was beautiful control this is just incredible hitting from the 2022 US Open runner up 154 a little bit of variety too as you see slice to Havey [Applause] spin always gives himself such a nice margins on the net see this put away here still pretty good margin on the net the SP spin brings it back down two break points 304 [Applause] huge serving 131 milph that's his quickest serve of the match so far what a time to find [Applause] it both guys doing a good job on their opponent's second serve so those first serves come at a pre premium not not too bad 65% in this set in fact Casper it's the same exact percentage on those first serves but both of them are down in the 30s on points One on Second serves just couldn't quite do enough with that volly route and vage great pretty impressive shot right here this backand right at Casper pretty difficult ball to put away well what a hold this would be from 1540 and another Ace sees Taylor Fritz through enormous moment in this second set leads four games to three second set first set R yeah such a huge hold for Taylor Fritz there would have just R salt into the wounds obviously not converting on the break point that he had in the previous game if he was then broken there could have easily just taking the wind out of his sails found himself two sets to love behind some big serving to see him through the game couple of Aces The onr Returned serve at 1540 as well just keeps him out in front [Music] time [Music] so Taylor Fritz coming through a massive game last time out saving those break points both players have now saved break points in this second set really would have began to fear for the American had he been broken there that's been the shot he's been missing a lot long with that forehand just been flying on [Applause] him it's difficult to deal with all that spin speed coming off of rude especially when he's playing so close I think a lot of players are used to playing him when he's further back there's another it's way [Applause] long we go come on it's almost as if Taylor needs just just maybe take a step I'm not want him to be defensive at all that probably won't work out either but maybe one step back so he can deal with that as Casper is so close might give him time to hit through the ball a little bit more before he then move in of course if you get the shorter ball [Applause] yeah it's caught the line 30 15 good play there Taylor is doing a good job on second [Applause] serves good step there that shoulder turn allowing him to do anything with that ball he could have taken that up the line as well little off Pace mistiming it look at how packed Armstrong stadium is it's all the way up to the top the top SE all full just awesome the crowds this year [Applause] sure helps to have four Americans still in the draw of course that's just on the men's side the women doing excellent well I know out on the Miss come on like you said stay down a little bit pulling off some of those shots good advice it's quality from Taylor Fritz another little opportunity here yes good job let's go come on I think [Applause] the he thinks the wind is playing a part tayor talking about the wind out there I don't if there's a lot of wind but he's concerned see that man in the green hat wolfking osal fantastic trainer been on Team Fritz for a while sitting next to thank you Russell was just long those of you watching thinking well the roof's closed how is there wind involved T of course it is still quite open here in Armstrong very open the way the way they've designed this Stadium wind can still come through it is an outdoor tournament after all they're protected from the rain pretty brilliant design and Guy TI his that yes last couple games all of a sudden T starting to make some inroads a little scared to like s on the side just go he obviously thinks the wind is kind of directly behind him from the end that he's at right now he just said he's a little scared to swing properly this side the ball's just going so much always interesting to listen in those chats the team definitely more encouragement here for Taylor prit second consecutive casaro service game which he has a look at a break points all of a sudden Christian Roode not looking quite as content as he was half an hour or so out well done did a good job just to make him play another overhead there what an effort there from Taylor that last overhead boy did Casper take that close to the line well done offensive mindset has paid off time and time again in this match and V as you can see rof still firmly shut here on Armstrong play has resumed on the outside courts out could be I don't think they can open it back up now that it's been closed for this match I don't think they would do that yeah I would be irritated if I was a player that thinks of opening and closing open and closing you want to keep yep sort of the situation surrounding matches the same they will probably open it up if the weather is going to be better for the next match you can see what he was trying to do with that final back hands just dropped that ball over the net make Caspar hit up on the volley shot that he normally plays pretty well Taylor Fritz Alex stobber there on the left hand side spent many years with Dominic team as his physio now working with Casper he was a ATP physio before that lovely guy chat with him the other day it was nice to see him used to work on me I needed a lot of work to the so Ru survives again but from a Taylor Fritz point of view things are just looking a little better out on Armstrong right now I think he's just saying to ory talk that the sweat is actually coming off his top in his short so just wants one of the the ball crew there just to to wipe it up or in fact Casper is going to do it himself which is very nice is nice so it's his mess didn't love what I saw from one of the WTA Players yesterday one of the ball she has apologized since was good Julia Pensa yeah that wasn't great Casper is dripping look at that that kit he's going to need to change it expect him to leave the court after this [Applause] set bull crew do such a great job such long days for them as well in sweltering temperatures sometimes L of I've always felt like a pleasing thank you maybe not a please but thank you when the ball's tossed anything that they do out there they're also human beings and they you're right they do work hard hard work it's humid for them also flirted with the Baseline important game here for for Taylor to just assert himself on serve I say that because the last couple games he's had looks at the rude serve didn't get them you got to be careful you don't get down on yourself a little bit on your own serve after that better to look at it as hey I'm really putting the pressure on this guy if this does get to a tie break like my chances as I'm I'm making those sort of inroads putting more balls back in play hold the serve and get there out with what we've seen the last few days J M with obviously jovic going out alarz going out how hard is it to to stay grounded just focus on one match at a time not start getting carried away with yourself I'm not necessarily convinced it's any harder than it ever is that's already hard yeah to stay in the moment stay in the moment Point by Point let's let's just stick to the plan let's compete only guy in this tournament that should get out of that sort of mindset I think is meev he's the only one that's won it before Joe Center perhaps one Australia number one seed might look at the draw and and have a thought or two but you still got to beat the person in front of you and you have to win the next point it's not over until the last ball is struck to look down the draw and say oh that's a guy I might play at such and such time there have been players of course the big three namely that you could imagine we're looking down the dve oh oh that's that's Rafa in my semi yeah or you know if it's Federer or Novak out game three so critz comes through and now casaro will have to hold Ser to stay in this second set at four five now five games to four second set first set R complete difference really the second set to what we saw unfold in the opening set in which serve on the whole completely dominated just that one break of serve for uh for caspero that he was able to take but other than that service games were just kind of flying by certainly in this second set both players you feel have just been put under a little more pressure on their own deal Fritz has had those two break points Casper Roode has had a look at two break points as well but ultimately we still are on surf [Music] time pretty humid out here today so the ice tells very much in effect for both of these two during the sit Downs so the last two times casparo stepped to the line Taylor Fritz has had a look and the pressure is just ramped up a little bit here serving to stay in this second set here's the Norwegian 45 it's a rock solid opening point from the number 12 seed 15 I think Taylor feels like he feels better on that side of the Court we talked about the wind a little bit hitting into it now as far as what he's concerned with could be a good sign he's made less unforced errors so far in this set we've gone deeper in this set he only at 10 he had the 15 in the first set much quicker set as well that's higher level from Fritz love 13 [Applause] so just a little shout of come on underneath his breath there Fritz two points from the set 15 1 see Casper checking the CT out there he's dripping so much he's worried that he could slip on his own sweat it's that humid today there's example of it I did a match in Washington I think it was earlier this year and I think he was or t in the chair and she actually forced David Goan off the court to go and change his close because he was absolutely wet through she taken by the collar of his shirt yeah come on get over there it's great serving convinced that that was wide FR requesting the replay of the call on the left near side line ball looked like it was right on the line or inside it yeah oh yeah so good what a return from Taylor Fritz even got a little Round of Applause from Casper Roode who appreciated how good that was evidence that on that side of the Court Taylor a little more comfortable to drive through the ball as you mentioned the wind moving toward him now allows you to hit through the ball a little bit more it's brilliant from Taylor Fritz what a time to come forward haven't seen it too much today but when he has come to the net he's been very very good Advantage [Applause] three couple of great back hands up the line just enough of a split step to avoid that ball getting tricky to volley so set points I just wonder whether Fritz thought that ball was going long I thought that ball was going long and that's crazy how did that ball land on the [Applause] line looked like Casper lost control of that shot so the towels back out to wipe up Casper SW janitorial duties a part of the narrative for Casper on the court today o he just tried to sneak in catch Taylor Fritz off guards Fritz did a good job with that back hand got it down nice and low I feel like the movement's slightly impaired because of the kit being that wet for Casper he needs to change it look at him stoping socks you think about all those things that is so hard when it's seemed would like this to play tennis matter how many times you've done [Applause] it oh it's a shame but the set has to end on a double fault but it is a fabulous response from the number 12 seed Taylor Fritz who levels things up on Armstrong oh some start from FR beauty of a forehand it's his sixth forand winner [Applause] thir so good start to this third set for Taylor Fritz both players of course leaving the cord at the end of the second both have come back with the brand new outfits so hopefully Casper is nice and dry now C 15 [Applause] pretty impressed with Taylor Fritz able to just be slightly more consistent while staying offensive yeah about that good start here in the third this is now a two out of threet match second double in the game 403 fifth in total it's going pretty big on those seconds there was 107 sort of a slice more than it was a kick has both in his repertoire oh my goodness I saw botic Vander an scul yesterday serve five consecutive double faults no you didn't I did how's that possible I know so two at the end of one game to get broken and then started his next service game with three in a row it's now three in the game for Taylor Fritz be so annoyed at that Casper second serve return doesn't get Fritz to play another ball this just shows you how locked in you have to be to play at this level and both players leaving the court about 5 minutes they didn't hit a ball it's easy to lose your Rhythm they're going to have to get it back it's exactly what I'm seeing here that's a return that we've not seen rude miss all that often in the three double faults evidence of it but he said he wasn't lacking in rhythm in that point Taylor Fritz and he'll be delighted to come through the game after the three double faults first game third set don't know if it's still the case but he used to a couple of years ago used to have the lightest racket on both the ATP and the WTA tour Taylor Fritz don't know whether he has changed that I know he was tinkering with it but said he went to a slightly heavier frame and just couldn't get on board with it so I'm assuming it's still one of the lightest out there just allows him to be extremely whippy with it just like I believe Rafa had a smaller grip than a lot of different players so you could really kind of whip through with it all right as well that's what you're comfortable with did you Tinker a lot with rackets and weights and grips and all that stuff or not I still play with the same racket that I played with my entire career really Prince Thunderbolt which I think is the best racket it ever I did Tinker with the weight on it a a lot all right spring tension not so much I didn't really like messing with that strung it very tight it was a powerful racket so I needed it to be a little tighter but I needed to have some swing weight on it at one point I had the fastest or the heaviest swing weight not the heaviest Racket and the difference in that is what well it's when you're hitting the ball how much is coming through when you're swinging swinging I hit a pretty flat shot so I didn't really have all that spin that you see so many players these days I was trying to get depth on it and penetrate through the court especially on return of serve and it also helped me to hit a bigger serve so that was sort of the the idea 15 on for so looking to Pro straight away here Taylor Fritz door is just a jar it's nice serve there it's the first serve that Casper's made so far in this set one for four in the first serves he's got to get that number back up to where we've seen it which is just above 60% for the most of this two sets that we've witnessed so Fritz making his move an early look at a break points 30 40 just trying to encourage him through the game oh and that is a bit of a gift in the end from caspero and what a start to set three for Taylor Fritz who breaks straight away to lead by two games to love Great lead two games to love third positivity thep there's Lily there at the bottom right who is Mikey Russell's wife pretty much travels all year with him doesn't doesn't she she does they are two of my favorite people try to see each other as much as possible but they are very [Applause] busy he oh he set the point up beautifully head Fritz I think that's a good example of the lighter racket what he's able to almost pull off there just use the hands to to almost force that ball back into the court it's thinking of an analogy that would work is if you have a a katana blade which goes through the air pretty quickly that's your weapon of choice or a mace a mace part of the Swing but once it gets going do a lot of damage if you get hit by one hopefully that never happens I would prefer not to be hit by either yeah so nice change up there from Taylor wisely going to the kick serve it's a little slower than that slice serve that he can hit harder but less margin on it seen some double faults in this set from Taylor so he's changed up his rhythm on it he's gone to a different choice I love that hear a lot spoken J Mike about tennis IQ would you say Taylor Fritz has a high tennis IQ I think it's extremely high I think sometimes he overthinks y you hear him talking about the wind out out there you talking about different kinds of strategies while he's on the court and he's so good he does have the ability to change up his strategies a little bit making those kinds of changes on a serve it's just that's just smart if you if you just missed three in the last game you have the ability to change it do it I think that Iron Mike and Taylor have a lot of good conversations turn is just long and Taylor Prince is raced into a three love leads in this third set it is all change out here on Armstrong one majority of this crowd will be loving what they are seeing right now just 10 minute shy of the two-hour Mark and Taylor Fritz has the break in this third set leading by three games to love a 15 two titles for this man this year Del re Beach that was back in February and then one on the grass in uh in eastn not for the first time that he's done that third time right it might well be yeah I think you're right so I think he might be crowned the king of e he's could be given perhaps a key to the city if he wins that again yeah did make the final in Munich as well where it was snowing that week remember slightly different conditions here [Applause] pretty impressed with Taylor frit being able to stay with Casper Roode and sort of find a way to get ahead in this match where Casper played so well for most of the first two sets just an excellent first set almost impeccable tennis from Roode there Fritz found another gear a way to get into the serve of rude in the second he's carried that through now here into the Third Way fewer unforced errors 145 yeah yeah just caught the line with the back hand so ruds importantly make sure that he stays just that single breakdown great leads three games to one third sets remember you can stay connected to the US Open on Facebook X Instagram Tik Tok YouTube and WhatsApp you can join the conversation with us # usopen is where you can find us let us know your thoughts from the opening week of the US Open what you think is potentially going to unfold in the second big upsets in the the men's side of things especially we going to see a a new US Open Champion 51 well this is gear two for some of these Strokes from Casper Roode he can go a lot heavier on the ground strokes he's been trying to play up on the Baseline hitting the ball big takeaway time from Taylor Fritz oh just he make that no that would have just been the shot of the tournament thought Fritz was fist pumping oh Casper almost looked like Casper wanted it to go in I know he didn't but watch Casper's face if we get a camera angle on it never mind would that have been better than muh did you see hers I didn't see that oh look at it so [Applause] good Pedro clar there in the middle also works with Casp you see him on the road with him quite a lot throughout the year yeah to have that isn't it under a little bit of pressure there at 30 all just send down the 125 mph Ace Ace number 16 today only two for Casper Roode well those piled up pretty quickly yeah they have I agree yeah good volley from Taylor Fritz and despite casparo getting back to it just wasn't able to execute BR leads four games to one third one it for so some fresh towels being delivered to Taylor Fritz just coming up to two hours on the match clock and he's done a really good job of turning this one around finding himself 4-1 in front just a single break in this third set so far Caspar rud has been punished for only making three first serves so far just three of 11 make that three of [Applause] [Applause] 12 it's not going to cut it he's got to get that first server the back was so good in the first two sets I know he was broken in the second but you think about the sets they didn't face really any stress whatsoever in set one that 63 and then Midway through to the end of it Taylor started to get on the serve a little bit so there's a little more pressure for him to produce a good first serve here start to feel the good returners when they keep putting balls back in play sometimes that makes you sort of overcorrect hit too big that can cause the percentages go down a little bit when you're pressing seen that I think in this matchup so you got to give the credit to Taylor there to find a way to do that [Applause] 15 see that stay down and threw the ball I have no idea why he thought he needed to jump at that backand up the line pulled the shoulders up the ball went with it it's a difficult shot to make in the first place much better on that laid into it excellent that's leaning into that two-hander there let's keeping the pressure on the eighth seed very important first serve 403 both players have been great behind their first seres throughout the match Casper rud 38 of 45 points one behind it Fritz 33 of 40 just wide so rud clinging on here but he is very much still in this third set just that single break still Great lead game I like that back hand up the line much better he did miss it wide but he hit through that one nicely he miss a ball like that no big deal can't make them all Taylor also on the first her percentage a little low in this set 37% so far well he's at the end of the court now where he's been kind of blaming the wind that's a familiar forehand that we've seen throughout the match certainly in the early stage of the match that forehand just going long 15 on seeing a little bit of plan C here from Casper might plan C for him is Chip the ball a little bit more slice the ball a little bit more chip the returns Plan B is to go heavier move back plan a which is at least today has been to go bigger get closer to the line pretty amazing to have those different abilities you really can do it all makes him so difficult to defeat he can keep changing up the strategy know plan C is going to work yeah we actually said after his last match casparo that he feels as though he's a very tough player to beat because he can just exactly as you've been saying Jam Mike he can win matches in in different ways he said he feels physically better than a lot of players out there mentally he feels he's stronger than a lot of players out there I think that's just an honest answer I think that he's not a person who brags at all that's that's just the truth he can do all those things there's but Taylor was ready for it look at that redirect huge forehand didn't even swing at that barely Taylor Fritz on the two-hander here let's look at it just a little nudge almost a half Folly look how low Taylor's had to get to make that work for him great fundamentals there the beauty of the tennis scoring system they've both won 81 points each but it is Taylor Fritz in control right now even more so as he moves to within a game of a two sets to one lead over the number eight seed Casper Roode who will now have to try and hold to stay in this set set for time [Applause] [Applause] eight seed Casper Roode serving here 25 third set to stay in this third set yeah this time the ball just flying on rude from this end of into the court we would love to break here Taylor Fritz and then start serving in the fourth should keep applying that scoreboard pressure here to Casper Roode 59 always hard watching just hasn't had enough points like that because of that first serve percentage because it's been so low just eight of 20 first serves that he's made in this set 14 15 so come the third fourth set I should say this is what caspero needs to figure out again serve so well in the first and quite well in the second still out completely out of this set so just his third Ace in this match and he says over to you Taylor bra leads five games to three thirds hasn't faced a break point so far in this set first percentage is a little low from his point of view as well just down at 46% he's being able to defend that second serve nicely really good energy level from Taylor Fritz this is the side of the court that he really likes he says he's hitting into the wind here near 100 m an hour full hand there from Taylor Fritz 97 15 W second that was 104 milph Ace number 17 so he missed a few of those early in this third set some double faults with that slider he's able to hit it harder he's used the kick serve pretty often on the second serve as well so it's been really intelligent serving that's just great placement there probably the easiest place to take a sliding serve is that very spot in the dece court that is a gift that Taylor Fritz will very happily accept at this stage and this packed Armstrong crowd tries to get Taylor Fritz over the line here two set points [Applause] 14 13 [Applause] and Ace number 18 gives Taylor Fritz a two sets to one lead in is start is off in the fourth Casper did such a great job it's one of the best tennis I've seen from him in a while in the first set of rushing Taylor Fritz and really making him feel uncomfortable in the rallies returned extremely well he's got to get back to that it's not easy to do was Taylor now quite locked in on the ground strokes can't point out how solid of a drop shot that is off the rude racket let's look at this perfect amount of Back Spin look at that ball spinning barely even bounced that is not easy to do in a hardcourt think it's easier to drop sh off the for hand or the backhand side well for me it was easier off the backhand I had a hard time doing the forehand I think players like caspero who do really well on the clay have cultivated off both sides disguise is important your ability to put a little bit of back beenin changed the grip quickly some players only just have to open their racket up and can do it those are the ones with the great Drop shots oh so big from Taylor frit massive injection of pace good some positivity there from my buddy Lily Russell that's the forehand that he's been missing this side of the court if he figures that out be even better shape here oh gambled the right way 143 this is excellent from Casper Roode fantastic intuition to cover that shot he did leave the line but Taylor didn't go there well he was being out hit on that forehand side for probably the first 45 minutes hour of this match Taylor Fritz but from that point onwards he has not looked back that is his 14th fullhand winner compared to just the 11 for Casper Roode now what we have not seen Casper rou serving volley too often today just trying to maybe shock Taylor Fritz there Shock Me Yeah tough ball to come in on a little Chip Shot stayed pretty low it's tough to volumes with UND spin versus UND spin as well what a chance this is absolutely brilliant tennis from Taylor Fritz it was a patient point he just waited for the opportunity to pull the trigger moved in executes the volley and is an early break up in the fourth first game four set and this is today's hardcore tactics right there go big from the Baseline get closer and closer to that Baseline if you can drive your opponent backward come in off the floated ball especially the first ball that floats easiest one to put away look at the fundamentals in this volley everything right out in front kept it very simple what a turn this match has taken absolutely extraordinary turn just with how well Casper rude was playing for the first hour I mean he barely missed the ball in that first set early break in the third now an early break in the fourth Casper Roode is reeling he has some things to figure out he's only broken one time in this match of course that was a while ago y one right on the line 15 left and he's really figured out the length on the forehand that was the issue in the first set besides Casper's great play for Taylor Fritz it was just too many errors to many long shots in the forehe him but he's brought them [Music] [Applause] down it's Taylor and Mike Oso they into their data their video analysis crunching numbers stuff like that I think Taylor's very much involved in knowing every a Mikey Russell likes to keep things simple but he's going to work with the player that he has and yep Taylor is a thinker oh yeah excellent B from cper I think a smile there from Taylor yeah what a shot you know what you want to do though is make your opponent these kinds of shots to win points this is a great point from Taylor Fritz [Applause] 140 15 game three just guessing the wrong way there Caspar rude was gambling on the slider great leads two games to love for set lots of people very quickly flooding back into Armstrong just nipped out at the end of that third set top up their glasses get a little bite to eat just so we're clear nipping out and popping out are different right nip is is shorter shorter period of time so popping out yeah you're going to pop out or it's a good question I would say I would say they're both just a very brief period of time well what's the difference then well there isn't it's just just a synonym fair enough is that not a you don't say that in America just popping out no we don't what would you say I'm going out leaving I'll be right back I do like it though I love the British I feel like I've given you quite a few phrases throughout the last few week love them all I just got to know him my brain wants to learn asked to borrow your jumper yesterday you looked at me like I just landed from a foreign Planet I'm happy to hand you my sweatshirt actually that was a sweater you guys don't say that another good backhand there from Fritz look at the two Z and he's still just looking to break again Casper rout in real trouble here [Applause] oh that would have been absolutely ridiculous if he had made that drop shot but what a point point of this match by far and the quality of tennis from Taylor Fritz now is like he's playing a video game and he loves video games is he just playing a video game right now he can't miss the ball that was a shank forehead is still with in short hop off the Baseline just can't miss kind of feel as though this could be the match right here breaks here it's unlikely Casper breaks back twice maybe just the lack of pace on that first serve the undoing there just 82 mph just rolled in well play 304 [Applause] three in a row there that's impressive from rude [Applause] too happy with that backhand first [Applause] Advantage a lot of hard work to get back to deuce the double fault that's a sign of how well Tor Fritz turning the pressure he's putting on Casper from the Baseline oh it's another double f and Taylor Fritz is absolutely charging towards the finishing line here double break in front now in the fourth at the moment it feels as though it's just a matter of time [Applause] you time and I think at the moment even the most hardcore Casper rude fan will be struggling to make a case for him fighting back in this one the way that it's looking at the moment Taylor Fritz is just completely taken over here and got that crucial double break lead looking for backto back US Open quarterfinals [Applause] 51 US Open Junior Champion here was Taylor Fritz back in 2015 quiz question who did he beat in the final oh I'm Ki a guess I feel like I actually don't know have any idea to say tomow Well done how about that was that a guess it was a guess an educated educated guess here are the two of them playing such great tennis again main draft didn't didn't Tommy get Taylor at roling garos juniors in the final think I'm going to say worried that I've just made that up I thought I beat somebody o and0 in that final in the Roland gas Junior final do 40 great pratic this result it's the majority of them yes I was right you were right Tommy Paul beat Taylor in the rolling garos Junior Final in 2015 and then Taylor his revenge right here come let's get ready well it's a lot of tennis to still be played but they are on the opposite sides of the draw here this year PA of course playing Ric Center 15 in what I assume well I don't know everything I assume it be the night match tomorrow night on ash you would think if it's not I don't I won't know what to do with that information but uh in fact I I can tell you right now can you I think there you go yep second on after EA after shant Sam son Diana Schneider Jess Pula start the day on Ash and then Nuno boures Daniel meddev to follow that one a great day on ash 4 [Applause] it's well done and again a little smile on the face of Taylor Fritz good tennis between the two of them and Caspar at least is off and running in this fourth set but still has a bit of a mountain to climb here [Music] time I can see that graphic there just how much kaspera struggled behind his second serve the longer that this match has gone on barely lost a point behind it in the opening set but from therea he's barely won a point Fritz is just eating it alive two games away from the [Applause] quarterfinals talk about Tor fr's tennis IQ and he has sure done a great job of getting himself into this match and then taking control of it got rid of the unforced errors that he was seeing in the first set found a way to get under the skin a little bit of Casper and the the longer exchanges won a few of those starting to serve a little bit better as this match has gone on 22 Aces certainly help this is how you play these big matches and get through them [Applause] 49 just a perfect service game at this stage for Taylor fr races through it five games to one for what is the major weakness still for Taylor Fritz Jam Mike if you were playing against him is there a particular area that you'd be targeting I don't think there is a major weakness and I'm not sure there's a weakness at all I think that he's so good from the Baseline he's he's able to stay in the long rallies he's fit he's not the fastest guy on the tour but he's quick and that's improved massiv and and he also reads the plays really well so that helps him be even quicker he returns sered quite well he serves amazingly y sometimes he gets a little bit casual on the volleys he takes some big cuts at it a couple of the volleys that he hit today though looked pretty clean so maybe's starting to do some work at the net on those volleys got to make him believe that he needs to yeah good numbers today at the net 15 of 20 don't think he's going to waste too much energy in this return game I think Taylor Fritz also quite coachable he came out here with a a strategy to go big it really wasn't working in the first set was it he missing too many shots but he didn't doubt the strategy in in fact he laid into it look how it's turned out 4 see some some players with looks over at their box and say oh this isn't working why are we doing this well there's you got to agree on it before you don't just run out there like a leming and you know just do exactly what you're told but once it's agreed upon you go out and try to execute it if it doesn't work then maybe you go to plan B he hasn't really had to frustration from Roode there the servant volley game so rud Holtz is he just delaying the inevitable or is this a start of what would be a quite miraculous comeback Fritz will serve for it at 52 so Caspar out of his chair very early knows that he's not only got to try and break the Taylor Taylor frit serve once but twice to get back into this one number 12 seed looking to book his spot in the [Applause] quarterfinals nice start up the game with a trusty out wide serve he's hit that well today crazy high percentages in this fourth set by the way from Taylor Fritz 86% on the first it's has two I'm not sure you can be more locked in that big serve 1 15 14 15 so two match points G well that was a statement performance from Taylor fcks who makes it backto back US Open quarterfinals but he will not be happy with just making the last eight this year is 20124 going to be Taylor's year Well if he continues to play as he did for the last couple of hours out here on Armstrong it could well be he was magnificent to