Taylor Fritz is First American Man in U.S. Open Final Since 2006

In a thrilling U.S. Open semifinal match on Friday night, Taylor Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, faced off against his good friend, Frances Tiafoe, from Maryland. This historic matchup marked the first time in 19 years that two American men had competed in a U.S. Open semifinal. As they entered the brightly lit Arthur Ashe Stadium, spectators were left uncertain about whom to cheer for, a testament to the deep friendship shared between the players, who have known each other since they were pre-teens competing in youth tournaments.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, culminating in a loud applause just before the first serve. Both players showcased their skills and resilience throughout the match, making it a nail-biting experience for the fans. Ultimately, it was Fritz who prevailed, overcoming Tiafoe with a score of 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 to secure a spot in his first Grand Slam final.

Overcome with emotion, Fritz shared his gratitude with the audience post-match, stating, “It’s the reason why I do what I do,” as his voice cracked with enthusiasm. The 12th seed’s victory was his seventh in eight professional encounters against Tiafoe, setting the stage for a championship duel with the tournament’s top seed, Jannik Sinner, on Sunday. “I just told myself to stay in it and fight,” Fritz reflected on his performance, recalling a moment when he was just two games away from losing in the fourth set.

This victory holds historical significance as Fritz becomes the first U.S. man to reach a major final since Andy Roddick in 2009, who lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon. If he triumphs against Sinner, he would be the first American man to claim a Grand Slam title since Roddick at the U.S. Open 21 years ago.

“It’s a dream come true. I’m in the final. So I’m going to come out and give everything I can possibly give,” expressed Fritz, his excitement palpable.

The turning point of the match emerged during the fourth set. After the players were tied at 4-all, Tiafoe began to struggle, both mentally and physically. He experienced cramping, which he attributed to nerves as he approached what he believed was the end of the match. “I felt like my body shut down on me,” Tiafoe admitted, reflecting on his performance as he dropped to a record of 7-14 in five-set matches.

The fifth set saw a critical error from Tiafoe, whose double-fault allowed Fritz to gain an early break. Despite also double-faulting in response, Fritz managed to regain his momentum and serve out the match, solidifying his victory with an embrace shared at the net with Tiafoe. “Sometimes, it’s not meant to be,” Tiafoe remarked after the encounter.

In the other semifinal, Jannik Sinner, a 23-year-old from Italy, emerged victorious against Jack Draper, the 25th seed from Great Britain, with a score of 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2. Sinner, who faced scrutiny in a recent doping case, maintained mental fortitude throughout the physical match that lasted over an hour and a half. He noted the intense nature of the contest, stating, “I just tried to stay there mentally.”

Both players dealt with physical challenges during their match. Sinner required treatment for his left wrist after a fall, while Draper needed medical assistance after experiencing illness on court due to the high humidity and heat.

With contrasting personalities, the cheering sections for both players mirrored their distinct approaches. Tiafoe’s corner erupted in cheers and expressions of excitement, while Fritz’s supporters maintained a more composed demeanor.

Fritz, who had never before progressed beyond the quarterfinals of a major tournament, celebrated this achievement after defeating established players such as Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, and Matteo Berrettini on his path to the final.

The match began with Fritz exhibiting his powerful serving, clocking speeds up to 135 mph. However, Tiafoe quickly rallied, winning five consecutive games at one point. The first set ended with Tiafoe taking the lead, but Fritz bounced back, displaying remarkable efficiency in his service game.

In the third set, Tiafoe showcased his skill by breaking Fritz’s serve right at the start, maintaining control to finish that set. However, Tiafoe appeared fatigued after a grueling rally, which shifted the momentum in favor of Fritz as he capitalized on Tiafoe’s mistakes to secure his win.

Reflecting on the painful loss, Tiafoe said, “This one’s going to hurt really, really bad,” as he graciously acknowledged the thrilling competition that had taken place.