The 2024 US Open and ATP Finals runner-up ran roughshod over countryman Jenson Brooksby in their all-American affair in the beaming sunshine on John Cain Arena on Tuesday.
Brooksby, 24, had won the only previous meeting between the pair in the second round of the 2021 US Open.
But their career trajectories have gone in opposite directions since then, with Fritz breaking into the top five last year and Brooksby sidelined for two years after undergoing surgery on both his wrists and serving a 13-month doping ban.
Fresh from leading Team USA to their second United Cup victory, Fritz hit 34 winners and kept his unforced error count to 21 to win 6-2 6-0 6-3 in an hour and 46 minutes.
Seven straight AO second rounds �— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) After just 1 hour and 46 minutes, No.4 seed Taylor Fritz races through Brooksby 6-2 6-0 6-3! 💨#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/fcwqZ6j9ctJanuary 14, 2025
The 27-year-old, who capped his blazing 2024 campaign with a loss to world No.1 Jannik Sinner in the season-ending Tour Finals in Turin, said he was happy with how he had opened up in Melbourne.
He's itching for another crack at a major after the Italian also bested him in the final at Flushing Meadows.
"I would like to win a big title this year," Fritz told reporters after the match.
"Obviously the goal is to win, but another opportunity at winning a slam would be great."
His second-round opponent will be Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin, who streamrolled to a 7-5 6-1 6-2 victory over Croatian Borna Coric.
Danish 13th seed Holger Rune had a much tougher time against China's Zhang Zhizhen, fending him off in five gruelling sets on Margaret Court Arena.
Danish 13th seed Holger Rune also reached the second round on Tuesday. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
The big-serving Zhang slammed down 21 aces but fell short of one of his biggest career wins, losing 4-6 6-3 6-4 3-6 4-6.
Rune said three hours and 10 minutes on court in hot conditions had left his body feeling weary.
"Right now (they're) not great," the 21-year-old said of his legs with a laugh.
"But it's all worth it. It was a great match. (We) played some amazing tennis. It got very close in the end.
"The sun was very hot today, I don't know if you guys noticed."
Matteo Berrettini is waiting for him in the next round after the Italian battled back from a set down to triumph over Brit Cameron Norrie 6-7 (7-4) 6-4 6-1 6-3.
Italian player Matteo Berrettini fought his way to a four-set win in the first round. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
There were eight men's matches that went the distance on day three, including world No.5 Daniil Medvedev's 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej.
Making his 19th main-draw appearance in Melbourne, flamboyant veteran Gael Monfils kept his cool to down French countryman and 30th seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 in a match that featured just two breaks of serve.
World No.51 Miomir Kecmanovic also won a topsy-turvy five-setter over fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic, as Russian Karen Khachanov cruised past French journeyman Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-3.
Big-serving Polish 18th seed Hubert Hurkacz was untroubled in a 7-5 6-4 6-4 win over Dutch world No.40 Tallon Griekspoor, while fellow seed Francisco Cerundolo dispatched Kazak Alexander Bublik 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 6-2 in less than two hours.
In the other all-American men's clash, former Open quarter-finalist and 22nd seed Ben Shelton won a 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-5 arm-wrestle with world No.35 Brandon Nakashima.
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