Sports · Tennis · 1 day ago
Fritz wins Shanghai opener but criticizes balls that wear out quickly
Taylor Fritz beat Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets in his opening match at the Shanghai Masters in China.
The American said he tried to take control of rallies by attacking early.
He was frustrated that the balls lost their pace quickly as they wore out, making it harder to finish points.
Fritz said the courts had been made faster this year, which helped offset the problem.
The win was his first on the ATP Tour since the US Open, after he lost his first match in Tokyo.
He said the heat in Tokyo was difficult because rain had kept him from getting used to the sun and hot weather.
Fritz reached the Shanghai semi-finals in 2024, and will now continue his campaign at this year’s tournament.
Taylor Fritz beat Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets in his Shanghai Masters opening match.
After the win, Fritz criticized balls that he said wear out quickly and make it difficult to finish points.
He said the courts were faster this year, which helped offset the problem.
Fritz said he felt good about his tennis despite losing his first-round match in Tokyo.
- Who
- Taylor Fritz beat Matteo Arnaldi.
- What
- Fritz won in straight sets and criticized the Shanghai Masters balls for wearing out quickly.
- When
- October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Shanghai, China.
- Why
- Fritz said worn-out balls made it difficult to finish points.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
these balls just, they’re so fast brand new, and then they wear out so fast, and once they get worn out, God, it is just miserable to try to finish a point.
Like, so tough.
Fritz reached the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, his best result at the tournament at that time.
Fritz lost in the first round of the Japan Open.
Fritz beat Matteo Arnaldi in his Shanghai Masters opener and spoke about the balls after the match.
- Opponent
- Matteo Arnaldi
- Result
- Straight-sets win for Fritz
- Tournament
- Shanghai Masters
- Previous best at Shanghai
- Semi-finals in 2024
Sources
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