Taylor Fritz got off to a slow start at the United Cup, but Team USA’s No. 1 singles player has recovered with two doubles victories and one singles triumph. The US Open runner-up and the rest of his team face China in the quarterfinals in Perth. We at LWOT predict Fritz’s match with Zhang Zhizhen, along with all other action on the grounds.
United Cup Prediction
Taylor Fritz vs Zhang Zhizhen
Head-to-head: Zhang 1-0 Fritz
Fritz was out-of-sorts in his opening match of the 2025 season against Team Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime before recovering well in the following contests. By contrast, Zhizchen won both matches against Team Brazil but then lost both against Team Germany. While Fritz and Zhang do not have identical styles, this contest will have much powerful hitting. Both men are particularly strong off their forehand wings.
The American’s superior serve might be what makes the difference in the quick conditions in Perth. Zhang won their only previous meeting in a deciding set tiebreak, but that was on clay in 2023 before Fritz’s improvements on the surface this year. The Chinese No. 1 ATP player must find a way to dominate the rallies consistently. That is not impossible, but Fritz’s ability to dig in during the points is his most improved quality in the last 12 months.
Fritz’s vastly improved singles performance against Borna Coric will also have given him a boost after that faltering performance against Auger-Aliassime. Zhang is unpredictable and has days when his forehand hits lines all over the court. However, those are too infrequent to back him in a matchup against Fritz confidently.
Prediction: Fritz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
