Taylor Fritz etched his name in the history books, becoming the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009. Fritz achieved this feat by overcoming his fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a dramatic five-set battle at the US Open 2024. The match, full of twists and turns, saw both players battle hard, with Fritz eventually emerging victorious with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
The world number 12, Fritz, was visibly shaken at the start, stating, “He overwhelmed me at the start and I was freaking out a little.” However, he quickly composed himself, telling himself to stay in the match, maintain his serve, and apply pressure on Tiafoe’s score. “I just told myself to stay in it, hold serve and apply scoreboard pressure. I did all I could to stay in it. If I hadn’t done that I’d regret it forever. In the final, I will come out and give it everything,” he said after the match.
Fritz will now face the top-ranked player, Jannik Sinner, in the final on Sunday. Sinner, who earlier secured his spot in the final by defeating Jack Draper in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, became the first Italian man to reach the US Open final.
The match against Tiafoe was a thrilling affair, with both players showcasing their skills and tenacity. While Tiafoe initially dominated the first set, Fritz fought back to level the match in the second set. Tiafoe regained the lead in the third set, only for Fritz to level again in the fourth set. The fifth set was a one-sided affair, with Fritz demonstrating his dominance and clinching the victory with a strong performance.
This victory marks a significant achievement for Fritz, who previously had a mixed record at Grand Slams, reaching the quarter-final stage on four occasions. His win against Tiafoe, a seasoned Grand Slam player with previous US Open semifinal experience, showcases his growing confidence and resilience on the big stage. The final on Sunday promises to be an exciting clash as Fritz aims to clinch the US Open title and further solidify his position as a top contender in men’s tennis.
