US Open 2024 SF: Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (12) Taylor Fritz vs (20) Frances Tiafoe
Date: September 6, 2023
Tournament: US Open 2024
Round: Semifinal
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, U.S.A.
Category: Grand Slam
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $75,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - ESPN | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN, RDS | India - Sony Network
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe preview
12th seed Taylor Fritz will take on 20th seed Frances Tiafoe in an All-American semifinal clash at the 2024 US Open on Friday, September 6..
Fritz might not have had an ideal buildup to the US Open, but he's been in exceptional form at the event so far. He kicked off his campaign with a commanding 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 win over Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the first round and followed it up with a routine 6-3, 7-6 (1), 6-1 victory against 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
The American continued his hot streak against Francisco Comesana in the third round, sealing another straight-set 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win.
In the fourth round, he faced eighth seed Casper Ruud and lost the first set, marking his first set drop of the tournament. He rallied back strongly to win the next three sets and secure an emphatic 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 triumph.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev tested him in the quarterfinals, but Fritz, with the vociferous support of the home crowd, eventually secured a 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory to reach his maiden Grand Slam semifinal.
In contrast, Tiafoe entered New York after a spectacular run to the finals in Cincinnati and has been in excellent form at Flushing Meadows as well. He began his campaign with a dramatic 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 win over fellow American Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round.
In the second round, he was leading 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 when Alexander Shevchenko was forced to retire due to injury. Tiafoe avenged last year's quarterfinal loss to 13th seed Ben Shelton in the third round, overcoming a 2-1 deficit to secure a monumental 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Novak Djokovic's conqueror Alexei Popyrin gave him a real run for his money in the fourth round, but Tiafoe performed better in the crucial moments, securing a 6-4, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 victory. In the quarterfinals, Tiafoe faced ninth-seed Grigor Dimitrov. Both players produced some high-quality tennis in the first two sets, which they split evenly.
Tiafoe surged ahead in the third set, dominating Dimitrov on the return to take the set. He broke early in the fourth set and was leading 4-1 when the Bulgarian was forced to retire due to a suspected leg injury, giving Tiafoe a 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 4-1 victory.
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe head-to-head
Taylor Fritz leads Frances Tiafoe 6-1 in their head-to-head and won their most recent encounter at the 2023 Mexican Open in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Fritz has also won their only previous Grand Slam clash at the 2022 Australian Open.
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe odds
All odds sourced from BETMGM.
Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe prediction
Taylor Fritz’s modest 16-6 match record on hard courts this year does not reflect his outstanding performance in New York so far. He has excelled in nearly every aspect of his game, particularly with his impeccable serving and dominant play on the return.
Tiafoe, meanwhile, holds a 21-11 match record on the hardcourts this year and is riding on a rich vein of confidence, something that's eluded him all year. He has thrived on the faster hard courts at the Flushing Meadows, playing with a newfound confidence that has improved his overall performance on the court.
Fritz's superior record in the latter stages of tournaments and on hard courts throughout his career might give him a slight edge heading into the contest. Tiafoe, however, holds a better record at the US Open, with a 22-9 record compared to Fritz’s 15-8.
Nonetheless, we can expect an absolute thriller between the two. A brutal brutal battle from the baseline is very likely, with whoever serving better and making more significant inroads on the return coming out on top.
Pick: Fritz in five sets.