"So proud" - Taylor Fritz's girlfriend Morgan Riddle rejoices as American reaches US Open QF, jokes about her 'hot friends' stealing the spotlight
Taylor Fritz has booked his place in the quarterfinals of the US Open for the second year in a row, earning praise from his girlfriend Morgan Riddle. Riddle was cheering on the American from the sidelines, accompanied by her friends in the stands.
As Fritz aims to end the 21-year title drought for American men at the New York Major, he has taken a strong stride forward towards his goal. Facing eighth seed Casper Ruud in the fourth round, the World No. 12 fought back from a set down to claim a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory, striking 56 winners to Ruud's 32 during the two-hour and 44-minute battle.
Morgan Riddle, who has been by Taylor Fritz's side during his campaign, documented her experience of the thrilling match on social media. Riddle wasn't alone in cheering for the World No. 12, being joined by her friends. Sharing a picture of her companions on the screen during the contest, the influencer joked that she knew her "hot friends" would inevitably steal the camera's attention.
"How'd I know they were gonna put my hot friends on the TV," she posted on her Instagram story.
Riddle also rejoiced over Fritz reaching the quarterfinals, expressing her pride in the 26-year-old's achievement.
"Quarterfinals!!!! @taylor_fritz i am so proud of you! 🤍🎾🤍," she wrote.
Despite his impressive victory, Taylor Fritz tempered expectations about his title-winning chances at the US Open, especially after his first-round exit in 2022, when he had expressed confidence in his ability to win the trophy.
"I am taking it one match at a time to be honest. I think that can add more pressure. I came in 2022 saying I could win it and I lost first round. I think it is good to take it one match at a time," Fritz said after the match.
"We have beef" - Taylor Fritz jokes about ESPN snubbing him but following his girlfriend Morgan Riddle amid US Open
With his third-round win at the 2024 US Open, Taylor Fritz became the first American man since Andre Agassi in 2003 to reach the second week of all four Majors in a season.
As ESPN celebrated Fritz's achievement on social media, the World No. 1 joked about having "beef" with the sports network because they followed his girlfriend Morgan Riddle on Instagram but not him, even after Riddle revealed that he was "mad" about being snubbed.
"🔥 Love the shoutout from @espn but you follow my gf and not me on insta so we have beef," Fritz posted on X.
Following his win over Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz will square off against fourth seed Alexander Zverev in a blockbuster quarterfinal clash at the US Open. Zverev enjoys a narrow 5-4 lead in their head-to-head record, but the American claimed a 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3 victory in their most recent encounter at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.