Those who have designs on going deep at Grand Slams often discuss the importance of not expending too much energy in the early rounds.
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In Taylor Fritz’s case at Australian Open 2026, it might be especially important.
Fritz expressed concern about lingering knee pain at the start of the season, and after his first-round win over Valentin Royer said, “I’m way better than I expected to be after how I felt my first week or so in Australia.”
Fritz, who again began his new season at the United Cup, then revealed that other injuries surfaced leading into AO 2026.
The world No.9 is well known for competing hard while hurt – most famously perhaps in the 2022 Indian Wells final when he beat Rafael Nadal despite a serious ankle complaint – but starting a campaign banged up is not desirable.
Fritz, then, must have been pleased with Thursday’s second-round showing against Vit Kopriva of Czechia.
The majority of the highlight-reel points went to Kopriva, but Fritz’s consistent baseline hitting and fine serving earned the Californian a 6-1 6-4 7-6(4) victory at John Cain Arena in a tidy one hour, 58 minutes.
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“It was tense,” said Fritz. “I felt like the whole third set, he really raised his level. He was playing really well, just crushing the ball.”