Taylor Fritz defeats fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a five-set thriller to become the first American man to reach a US Open final since 2006. Fritz won 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a contest filled with momentum shifts and emotions.
Quick Read
- Taylor Fritz defeats Frances Tiafoe in five sets to become the first American man in a US Open final since 2006.
- Fritz wins 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in an intense semifinal against fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
- The match marked the first U.S. Open semifinal featuring two American men in 19 years.
- Fritz, the No. 12 seed, overcame a slow start and surged in the final set as Tiafoe faded due to nerves and cramping.
- Fritz will face No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner in the final, becoming the first U.S. man in a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009 and the first in a U.S. Open final since Roddick in 2006.
- Fritz has dominated Tiafoe in their head-to-head meetings, winning seven of their eight encounters.
- Tiafoe, visibly struggling in the final set, admitted to cramping and feeling overwhelmed as the match progressed.
- Fritz is chasing the opportunity to be the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since Roddick in 2003.
- Fritz’s win sets up a showdown with Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, in Sunday’s final.
- Sinner won his semifinal match against Jack Draper in straight sets despite both players requiring medical attention during the match.
- Fritz’s journey to the final included wins over top players like Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, and Matteo Berrettini.
- Fritz expressed his excitement, saying it’s a dream come true to be in the final and pledging to give everything he has in the championship match.
Taylor Fritz beats Frances Tiafoe to reach 1st US Open final, 1st US male finalist since 2006
Newslooks- NEW YORK
Taylor Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, triumphed over fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a dramatic five-set US Open semifinal on Friday night, becoming the first American man to reach the final at the tournament since 2006. Fritz won 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a contest filled with momentum shifts and emotions. “It’s the reason why I do what I do,” an emotional Fritz told the crowd after the match. “It’s the reason why I work so hard.”
This victory earned Fritz a place in Sunday’s final, where he will face No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner of Italy. If Fritz wins, he will be the first American man to claim a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick won the US Open 21 years ago. “He was overwhelming from the baseline so much … and I just tried to tell myself to stay in it and fight,” said Fritz, who found himself on the edge of defeat in the fourth set. “I told myself that if I didn’t give it absolutely everything I had, I would regret it for a long time.”
Fritz’s victory was his seventh over Tiafoe in eight professional matchups, and it was hard-fought. From 4-all in the fourth set, Fritz took control as Tiafoe struggled, physically and mentally, cramping up and losing momentum. “I felt like my body shut down on me,” said Tiafoe, reflecting on how nerves affected his performance. “I got ahead of myself.” Despite showing resilience earlier in the match, Tiafoe’s struggles led to a series of errors, including a double fault that gave Fritz a 4-0 lead in the fifth set. After more than three hours of play, the match ended with an embrace at the net.
Sinner, who won the Australian Open earlier this year, defeated No. 25 Jack Draper in straight sets in his semifinal. Both players had moments of physical strain, with Sinner needing treatment for his wrist and Draper vomiting on the court due to the heat and humidity. In contrast, Fritz and Tiafoe’s match was drama-filled without such interruptions. The two close friends, who have known each other since childhood, put on a thrilling show for the New York crowd, marking the first US Open semifinal between two American men in 19 years.
Fritz, who had never advanced past the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam before this tournament, reached this final by defeating several top players, including Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, and Matteo Berrettini. He’ll now aim to end a long drought for American men at Grand Slam tournaments. “This one’s going to hurt really, really bad,” Tiafoe said after the match.
While Tiafoe was supported by an animated guest box that included Jessica Pegula, who is in the US Open women’s final, Fritz’s camp was more restrained in their celebrations. But after securing his place in the final, Fritz expressed his excitement for the chance to play for his first major title. “It’s a dream come true,” Fritz said. “I’m in the final. So I’m going to come out and give everything I can possibly give.”
