Major blow: Taylor Fritz loses from two sets up to Mikael Ymer at Wimbledon

A day after completing a five-set win over Yannick Hanfmann, top-ranked American man Taylor Fritz lost from two sets up to fall in the second round of Wimbledon on Thursday.

Sweden’s Mikael Ymer pulled off a stellar comeback, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, to achieve his best showing at the All England Club. The two were meeting for the first time. Ymer had lost his first 10 matches to Top 10 opponents before today's effort.

It’s the latest Grand Slam blow for the world No. 9, who has now failed to reach the second week at the season’s first three major events. Fritz was ousted in the second round of the Australian Open by Alexei Popyrin and eliminated by Francisco Cerundolo in the third round at Roland Garros.

The third quarter of the men’s draw saw two Top 10 seeds exit within hours of each other, as No. 4 seed Casper Ruud was bageled in a fifth set by home hopeful Liam Broady on Centre Court earlier in the day. Ninth seed Jannik Sinner is the clear favorite to reach the semifinals from this section, with No. 26 seed Denis Shapovalov, who advanced to the final four here two years ago, the only other seeded competitor in his potential pathway. Broady meets the Canadian next in an all-lefty encounter.

Tenth seed Frances Tiafoe eked out a tight opening set, then pulled away from Dominic Stricker, 7-6 (11), 6-4, 6-2. Tiafoe was one of the few players to raise a grass-court trophy ahead of the London major, following his triumph in Stuttgart.

"I think that first set was huge. I loosened up a lot. I started swinging more out on the ball, moving him around a bit more," said Tiafoe. "I don't want to be out there playing longer matches if I don't have to. Those first sets are huge for me."

Fritz’ childhood best friend Tommy Paul passed the challenge presented by 2016 finalist Milos Raonic.

Unable to serve out the third set, the No. 16 seed regrouped for a 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 6-4 victory. Paul advanced to the round of 16 on his debut last year.

Ben Shelton was unable to join Tiafoe and Paul in the next stage. Laslo Djere beat the 32nd-seeded American, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3.