Taylor Fritz downs Frances Tiafoe to set up blockbuster US Open final against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner
Taylor Fritz booked his spot in his maiden Grand Slam final on Friday, defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium in the semifinals of the 2024 US Open. In the summit clash on Sunday, he will now take on reigning Australian Open champion and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Fritz started off as the aggressor in the opening set, breaking early to go 3-0 up. However, Tiafoe found his rhythm soon and bounced back into the clash in style, winning six of the next seven games to run away with the set 6-4.
In the second set, the duo remained on serve until 5-5, only for Fritz to find a decisive break and take the set 7-5. With the scores level, Tiafoe went on the front foot again, breaking early in the third set for a 2-0 lead and then hanging on to it to close out the set 6-4.
With a set win needed to stay in the match, the American No. 1 produced the goods when it mattered the most, breaking Tiafoe's serve decisively again at 4-4 to snatch the set 6-4 and force a decider.
With all to play for in the final set, Fritz stepped on the gas, earning an early break to go 3-0 up on his compatriot. Although he made it two breaks to make it 4-0, Tiafoe earned one break back and got on the scoreboard to spice things up. However, the momentum quickly stopped for the World No. 20, as he lost his next serve to go 1-5 down.
Serving for the match, Taylor Fritz made no mistake, converting his first match point to win 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 after more than three hours and 20 minutes of play in front of a raucous New York crowd.
Taylor Fritz is tied 1-1 in head-to-head with Jannik Sinner
Coming into the final clash with Jannik Sinner at the 2024 US Open, Taylor Fritz is tied 1-1 in the head-to-head with the Italian. The duo last faced at the Indian Wells Open last year, where Sinner prevailed in three sets. Before that, they met at the 2021 edition in Indian Wells, where the American won in straight sets.
A win on Sunday will give Sinner his second Grand Slam title, following the title run at the Australian Open earlier this year. On the other hand, Fritz is gunning for his maiden Slam title as well as the honor of becoming the first man from the USA to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open win.