American tennis player Taylor Fritz said Thursday he is donating the prize money he earned for his first-round victory at the Australian Open — about $82,000 — to relief funds to help people affected by the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area.

Fritz made the announcement after defeating Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 to advance to the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday.

Fritz eased past fellow American Jenson Brooksby in the first round of the Australian Open men’s singles tournament.

Fourth seed Taylor Fritz says he is going to donate his first-round prize money from the Australian Open to support victims from the Los Angeles wildfires.

American world number four Taylor Fritz said Thursday he will donate his $82,000 first-round prize money from the Australian Open to help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires, calling the devastation "insane".

The American kicks off his campaign Down Under with high expectations after a career-best year, facing a familiar opponent in round one.

Taylor Fritz has blitzed Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin to lead the Australian Open charge into round three, where he will face French veteran Gael Monfils.