Shelton was the primary participant of this yr’s match to play on the long-lasting Arthur Ashe present court docket, taking simply over two hours to wrap up victory.
The previous semi-finalist is in good type, having gained his first ATP Masters 1000 title on the Canadian Open earlier this month.
“The US Open is the head of tennis for me and what I dreamed about as a child,” Shelton mentioned.
“It’s beginning to really feel like residence for me.”
Shelton beat Fritz within the semi-finals on his option to the title in Toronto and the 2 might probably face each other within the final 4 in New York.
However Shelton, 22, remained cautious when requested if he might go far at this yr’s match.
“As quickly as you begin wanting forward of your self you stumble over your individual toes so for me it’s in the future at a time,” he mentioned.
“We’re right here for the lengthy haul and I’m wanting ahead to it.”
Fritz, who misplaced out to world primary Jannik Sinner in final yr’s closing, has additionally carried out properly in latest months.
He reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon and gained grass-court titles at Eastbourne and Stuttgart, placing him within the kind of type that means he can go far on the yr’s closing Grand Slam.
Fritz will face both Sebastian Beez or qualifier Lloyd Harris within the second spherical, while Shelton will tackle Spain’s Pablo Carreno-Busta.
