World number 12 Taylor Fritz staved off a worthy challenge from 20th seed Frances Tiafoe to storm into the US Open 2024 men's singles final on Saturday (September 7). Fritz won the intense five-setter 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 at Flushing Meadows. (Full Coverage | More Tennis News)
With that, the 26-year-old became the first American since Andy Roddick in 2006 to enter a final at the New York Grand Slam. Fritz will face world number one Jannik Sinner in the title clash, as the latter beat Jack Draper in the earlier semi-final.
This will be Fritz's first-ever appearance in a Grand Slam final. If he wins, the 12th seed would end the United States’ 21-year-wait for a male Major singles champion.
“It’s the reason I do what I do, the reason why I work so hard. I’m in the finals of the US Open,” an emotional Fritz said at the post-match interview after winning the semi-final. “It’s a dream come true and I’m going to give it everything I possibly have. I know that for a fact.”
Fritz seized control from 4-all in the fourth set. Tiafoe’s mind and legs betrayed him, as he cramped up, at least partly, due to what he later said were nerves related to thinking the finish line was near and he was headed to play for the title.
“I felt like my body shut down on me,” said Tiafoe, who fell to 7-14 in five-setters. “I got ahead of myself.”
After his double-fault handed over a break to make it 4-0 in the fifth, more than three hours into the proceedings, Tiafoe chucked his racket. Fritz repaid the favor by double-faulting to end the next game, but broke right back and soon it was over. They met at the net for an embrace.
“Sometimes,” Tiafoe said, “it’s not meant to be.”
(With AP inputs)
