Fritz has aimed to reassert himself as the top-ranked American in spite of shocking loss at his home major to Brandon Holt, son of former champion Tracy Austin.

Mackenzie McDonald also advanced, setting up a second-round meeting with No. 2 seed Frances Tiafoe.

There were many twists to the match that were in play even before each competitor was born.

“I’ve been coming here literally since I was a newborn baby,“ he said after winning a trio of three-set thrillers in qualifying.