Taylor Fritz powered through a six-game streak to defeat Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in an all-American clash at the U.S. Open, reaching his first Grand Slam final.
The 12th seed’s victory over the 20th seed sets up a championship match against top seed Jannik Sinner on Sunday. Fritz will be the first American man in a major final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, and a win would mark the first U.S. Slam title since Roddick’s 21 years ago.
Fritz took control from 4-all in the fourth set as Tiafoe struggled, culminating in a double-fault that gave Fritz a break in the fifth. Meanwhile, Sinner, recently cleared of a doping allegation, defeated Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2 in a physically demanding match.
The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium was subdued during the Tiafoe-Fritz match, unsure whom to support. Tiafoe, known for his exuberance, contrasted with the more reserved Fritz, whose supporters celebrated more selectively. This was Tiafoe’s second major semifinal, while Fritz had never advanced past the quarter-finals until now, having previously defeated top players like Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.
Fritz started strong, serving at up to 135 mph, but Tiafoe rallied to take the first set. Fritz then dominated the second set before Tiafoe regained momentum in the third. However, Tiafoe faltered in the fourth, allowing Fritz to seize the match.
Sinner’s recent doping controversy has been a hot topic, but he continues to impress on the court, showcasing his exceptional ball-striking ability. “Jannik plays at such a high level,” Draper remarked.
World number one Jannik Sinner beat Britain’s Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 on Friday to become the first Italian to reach the final of the men’s singles at the US Open.
