'I don't really want to talk' - Fritz and Cobolli shocked as seeds tumble

Taylor Fritz was unable to explain how he let a two-set lead slip against Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo as he became one of six top-10 seeds to be eliminated from the men's draw in the first week of the US Open.

The American ninth seed was in complete control and went an early break up in the third set, only for 24th seed Cerundolo to produce a shock 3-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 win to reach the fourth round.

Less than an hour later, fifth seed Flavio Cobolli of Italy fell to a 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-0 6-3 defeat by Belgium's Alexander Blockx, opening up the men's draw even further.

However, German top seed Alexander Zverev did survive. The French Open champion won 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 against Chilean 25th seed Alejandro Tabilo to move into the last 16.

"I don't even know what to say," Fritz said. "I don't really want to talk to anybody, see anybody.

"I need to get out for a couple days and then get back to work. I don't know how I let that happen today."

Fritz, a finalist at Flushing Meadows in 2024, was bidding to become the fifth American through to the fourth round at this year's tournament.

With world number one Jannik Sinner out injured and Carlos Alcaraz only recently returned from a long-term wrist problem, excitement has been growing there may finally be another home winner in the men's singles - 23 years on from Andy Roddick's triumph.

That chance remains with Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Alex Michelsen and Learner Tien left - but Fritz will know he has let a golden opportunity slip.

Cerundolo and 28th seed Blockx will now meet in the fourth round with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.

The chance of a maiden Grand Slam title has also escaped Cobolli after his capitulation against Blockx.

Having edged the first set on a tie-break, the Italian lost his way and could not recover after surrendering the third set to love in just 20 minutes.

"I think my energy was a little bit lower than the other days," said the French Open finalist. "I feel a little bit more tight and maybe more tired."

With Cobolli and Fritz out, Zverev and 14th seed Learner Tien - who completed a five-set win over Czech 17th seed Jakub Mensik at 1:35am in New York - are the only top-20 players left in the top half of the draw.

It means Zverev could reach the final without playing a top-10 opponent.

But first he must focus on getting past Italian 21st seed Luciano Darderi after seeing off Tabilo in another late-night finish.

Zverev's opening two matches were five-set victories finishing around 2am, but this time he got the job done in straight sets at 1:09am local time.

However, he had to save two set points to prevent Tabilo levelling the match at one-set all, and survived two break points early in the third set, before reasserting his authority.

"My coach was smart because he explained to me that a best-of-five match doesn't mean you have to play five sets - which I didn't know until today," joked Zverev.

"I'm happy with the improvements and happy my level is going in the right direction. But I can still play better."