Australian Open contender Taylor Fritz gives up first-round prize money to LA fire relief efforts

Taylor Fritz has pledged his Australian Open prize money to Los Angeles fire relief efforts after moving into the third round, barely breaking into a sweat.

The fourth seed, who reached his first grand slam final at last year’s US Open where he lost to Jannik Sinner, blitzed Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin in an hour and 22 minutes, winning 6-2 6-1 6-0.

Fritz announced on court that he would donate his $132,000 first-round prize money to the LA relief fund.

“I just want everyone to stay safe. It’s just insane what happened,” Fritz said.

“I wanted to say something after my first-round match but I’m going to be donating my first-round prize money to LA wildfire relief funds.

“It’s really the least I could do. Southern California’s my home and LA was my home for a very long time so I’m just doing what I can do to help.

“I would encourage anyone else who can donate to help too because a lot of people really need help.

On the win itself, Fritz said “it always feels great” to dominate.

“I played well in the first round, too, so I’m high in confidence going into the third round. This is awesome,” he said.

Fritz also fell to reigning Australian champion Sinner in the title match at the ATP Finals in November, elevating him to his career-high ranking.

Fritz finally lifted some silverware when he and Coco Gauff combined to steer Team USA to victory in the United Cup, which they played as an Australian Open warm-up.

Looking to surpass his 2024 quarter-final showing, Fritz will next take on 38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils, who downed German Daniel Altmaier 7-5 6-3 7-6 (7-3).

The 2025 Auckland champion, Monfils extended his winning streak to seven matches.

In his 19th Open appearance, Monfils has become the fourth oldest male player to reach the third round, which will be his 12th appearance.

The pair were joined in the third round by 16th seed Lorenzo Musetti, with the Italian winning a tight battle with Canadian Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (8-6) 6-2.

Miomir Kecmanovic’s love affair with the Open continued with the unseeded Serbian storming into the third round.

Kecmanovic kicked off his Open run in 2022 when he was supposed to play then-world No.1 and nine-time champion Novak Djokovic in the first round at Melbourne Park, only for his countryman to be famously deported on the eve of the tournament.

Djokovic’s place in the main draw was taken by Italian qualifying lucky loser Salvatore Caruso, who Kecmanovic downed, describing it as a “second chance”.

He kept his Open charge running, reaching the fourth round, which remains his best ever grand slam showing.

Kecmanovic backed it up again last year before losing to Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16.

This time, the world No.51 swept past Polish 18th seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 6-4 6-2.

Kecmanovic, a former junior world No.1, will meet the winner of the clash between Matteo Berrettini and Danish 13th seed Holger Rune.

Meanwhile, 31st seed Francisco Cerundolo advanced when Argentine compatriot Facundo Diaz Acosta withdrew while trailing 6-3 1-0.

Cerundolo will face hot-footed Australian No.1 Alex De Minaur, who thrashed grand slam debutant Tristan Boyer 6-2 6-4 6-3.

- with 7NEWS