The American No. 1\u00a0earned an efficient 6-4, 6-4 victory against countryman Emilio Nava<\/a>, winning more than 75 per cent of points on both first and second serve and fighting off the only two break points he faced early in the 68-minute match.<\/p>\n The first American to be among the top four seeds in Cincinnati since Andy Roddick<\/a> in 2007, Fritz showcased his full arsenal in the final match of the day on stadium court. In one of the points of the night midway through set two, his desperate lunge set up a sweet two-shot pass that drew the biggest reaction of the night from both the crowd and the No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings.<\/p>\n Now 20-4 since the start of June \u2014 a run that includes grass-court titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne and a Wimbledon<\/a> semi-final showing \u2014 Fritz has already bettered his result from last year in Cincinnati, where he was upset by countryman Brandon Nakashima<\/a> in the first round. After improving to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head against Nava (Miami 2023), Fritz will next take on 31st seed Lorenzo Sonego<\/a>, who beat Zizou Bergs<\/a> 6-3, 7-6(4) earlier on Saturday.<\/p>\n Returning finalist Frances Tiafoe<\/a> also made a strong start in Cincinnati with a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Roberto Carballes Baena<\/a> on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n “It’s great to come back out at a place I’ve done so well and a place I had one of the biggest weeks of my career,” he reflected in an on-court interview.<\/p>\n Down three places to No. 17 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings as he defends his finalist points from last year at the ATP Masters 1000 event, Tiafoe could end the tournament in the Top 10 if he wins his first title of the season.<\/p>\n Pulling out all the tricks \ud83e\ude84@FTiafoe<\/a> secures his spot in R3 with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Carballes Baena. @CincyTennis<\/a> | #CincyTennis<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ExS3KkNCps<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) August 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n In an eventful match that featured nine breaks of serve, Tiafoe rode a finishing flourish to victory, turning on the style to win seven straight points down the stretch. The seventh came on a blistering forehand return winner to bring up triple match point, with the American flashing a smile as the home crowd roared its approval.<\/p>\n “I returned really well today, I was getting balls on him quick,” said Tiafoe, who felt he “got away with” his 44 per cent first-serve percentage. “The courts are so fast as of late, so returning is almost more important than serving for me. If you can get balls deep on return, you’ll find yourself with at least chances to break.”<\/p>\n Tiafoe converted six of 17 break points against Carballes Baena, according to Infosys ATP Stats, while saving one of four against him. While Tiafoe won 75 per cent (18\/24) of his first-serve points, neither the American (47%) nor his opponent (34%) won more than 50 per cent of their second-serve points.<\/p>\n With victory in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting, Tiafoe improved to 8-0 in his opening rounds at hard-court events this season. He will next take on 20th seed Ugo Humbert<\/a>, a 6-3, 6-4 winner against qualifier Coleman Wong<\/a> earlier on Saturday.<\/p>\n Fritz and Tiafoe were joined Saturday in the winner’s circle by fellow Americans Tommy Paul<\/a> (d. Pedro Martinez<\/a>) and Alex Michelsen<\/a> (d. Corentin Moutet<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"It](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1754834466_738_it-all-adds-up-banner.jpg\"\/)
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