Talent, athleticism and commitment are not nearly enough to become a Grand Slam singles champion.

Possessing the confidence that you can beat anyone on the biggest stage – where the eyes of the world are fixed on you and there is no place to hide – is arguably the most important characteristic a player can have.

Unwavering belief. Or, as former US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz describes it, delusion.

Fritz is one of the current crop of leading men yet to get his hands on one of the sport’s major prizes. The world number 10 is also one of the guys who has blown what looked like a golden opportunity to win this year’s US Open.

With Jannik Sinner missing through injury, and Carlos Alcaraz making his comeback from his long lay-off, it felt like a tournament where the leading seeds could capitalise.

Instead, six of the top 10 perished by the fourth round at Flushing Meadows – including Fritz, who squandered a two-set lead against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in round three.

Former champion Daniil Medvedev’s fourth-round exit on Sunday means the only top-10 players remaining are top seed Alexander Zverev, defending champion Alcaraz and eighth seed Ben Shelton.

“It shows you how even the circuit is, how tight every match is, how difficult it is to win matches,” said 24th seed Cerundolo.

“Anything can happen right now.”