Fritz is among ‌a handful of contenders looking to end a ‌23-year American wait for a men's Grand Slam ‌singles champion after Andy Roddick's Flushing Meadows triumph, and the ninth seed has strengthened his position after his ‌first two matches.

"I came out feeling ⁠really good. I ‌felt confident with the way I was playing. In ​the whole match, there weren't many nerves. I was aggressive, and it felt great," ​said Fritz after his 98-minute demolition job.

"It's fun, playing a match like that on Arthur Ashe ⁠Stadium. I don't ​know if there are many more things better than that; it's a great feeling."

The 2024 runner-up barely gave his unseeded Italian opponent any chances to ‌settle as he dictated terms from the baseline and raced through the opening set in 35 minutes without conceding a game on the main show court.

A timely ace in a tight game helped world number 95 Bellucci open his account in the next set, but it was all Fritz from there as the 28-year-old home favourite reeled ‌off games to double his lead in ​the match.

Bellucci was unable to alter the pattern ‌of the clash in the third set as Fritz remained in control, sealing another easy win to set up a meeting with 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo and keep his bid ⁠for a maiden ⁠Grand Slam title ‌on track.