Fourth seed Taylor Fritz continues his US Open campaign against Swiss qualifier Jerome Kym, with the two meeting for the very first time in their careers. While Fritz enters the match as a proven top-tier contender with experience on the biggest stages, Kym has been one of the tournament’s surprise stories, making his maiden run in a Slam main draw and already achieving personal bests.
Jerome Kym’s Breakthrough Moment
At just 21 years old, Jerome Kym is experiencing a breakout week in New York. Before this event, he had never played in the main draw of a Grand Slam, but he has seized his opportunity with two impressive victories.
Kym opened his tournament with a four-set triumph over Ethan Quinn, showing maturity under pressure. He then stunned the 30th seed Brandon Nakashima in a dramatic five-set battle, coming from behind to secure the biggest win of his career so far. That victory lifted him to a live ranking of 151, underlining his progress on the professional circuit.
However, the challenge only grows steeper. This will be Kym’s first time facing a top-10 opponent, and his long hours on court — seven hours across two matches — could prove costly against an opponent as physically strong as Fritz.
Fritz’s Quest for Redemption
Taylor Fritz has established himself as a force at the US Open over the past two seasons. After finishing as runner-up last year, he is back at Flushing Meadows defending 1,300 points and looking to go one step further.
The American handled qualifier Lloyd Harris in four sets during the second round, rebounding after losing the first set. In the opening round, he cruised through in straight sets, showing flashes of the aggressive baseline game that has made him a consistent top-five presence.
Fritz has now won eight of his last nine matches at the US Open, making this his most successful major by far. In addition, he has already notched 40 wins this season — the fourth straight year he has achieved that milestone — and owns two singles titles in 2025. With his powerful serve and forehand, combined with growing confidence on hard courts (23 wins from 31 matches this season), Fritz will be a formidable hurdle for any opponent.
Key Match Factors
- Head-to-head: This is the first career meeting between the two players.
- Match fitness: Kym has spent significantly more time on court, while Fritz has managed his workload better.
- US Open pedigree: Fritz is 8–1 in his last nine matches at Flushing Meadows, while Kym is making his debut at this stage.
- Hard-court record: Fritz has been dominant on this surface, whereas Kym is still adjusting to the rigors of ATP-level competition.
Odds and Betting Outlook
Bookmakers strongly back Fritz as the favorite:
- Taylor Fritz win probability: 70.47% (odds 1.06 – William Hill)
- Jerome Kym win probability: 29.53% (odds 12.3 – 22bet)
Given Fritz’s track record at the US Open and Kym’s lack of experience against elite opposition, the spread markets also favor a comfortable win for the American.
Prediction
This third-round clash feels like a step too far for Jerome Kym. While his fighting spirit and resilience have been commendable, the leap from early-round upsets to toppling a world No. 4 is immense. Taylor Fritz’s combination of power, consistency, and comfort at Flushing Meadows should give him the upper hand from the very first ball.
Predicted Outcome: Taylor Fritz wins in straight sets, covering the -7.5 games spread.
Fritz is likely to dictate play throughout, forcing errors from Kym and capitalizing on his opponent’s fatigue. The Swiss youngster may gain valuable experience, but the American’s class and efficiency should see him through comfortably into the second week.