What was the last all-American SF at a Grand Slam? All you need to know about the 19-year-old record ft. Andre Agassi that has been emulated at US Open 2024
The 2024 US Open is set for an all-American semifinal as both Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz made their way into the final four of the tournament. This will be the first time since 2005 that two American men's players will face each other for a place in the Major's final.
In 2005, Andre Agassi was one of the best players in the world and a home favorite to win the US Open. The former World No. 1 faced fellow American Robby Ginepri in the last all-American semifinal at Flushing Meadows.
Agassi and Ginepri played out a topsy-turvy five-setter, which Agassi won to book a place in the final against Roger Federer. Agassi started well by winning the first set, but Ginepri came back in the second. The duo won two sets each to force the match into a deciding fifth set which Agassi won to win 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.
Interestingly, Agassi faced another American in the quarterfinals before facing Ginepri. James Blake was given a wildcard for the US Open in 2005 and he impressed with his impressive performances. He even had Agassi on the ropes during their quarterfinal clash after he won the first two sets. However, Agassi mounted a comeback to win the match in the final set tie-break, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(6).
Agassi faced the defending champion and the top seed Federer in the final of the US Open 2005 and lost in four sets. The Swiss star was dominant, losing only a set to the American. Federer successfully defended his title by beating Agassi 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-1.
Despite Agassi's defeat in the final, it was a successful outing for the American men's players. The quarterfinal lineup included three American players leading to an all-American semifinal, which is now replicated 19 years later at the US Open 2024.
Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe book their semifinal berth at US Open 2024
Taylor Fritz dispatched World No. 4, Alexander Zverev in style to make his maiden US Open semifinal. The American star was cheered on by a packed crowd at the Flushing Meadows and he responded by winning the tightly contested opening set. However, Zverev threatened to mount a comeback as he won the second set but Fritz got back the control of the match and won 6-7(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3).
This will be Fritz's first-ever appearance in the semifinals of the Grand Slam having failed to go past the quarterfinal stage in the past. He will face his good friend and fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe faced Grigor Dimitrov in the day's second semifinal at Flushing Meadows. The big-serving American qualified for his second US Open semifinal in three years as he dominated Dimitrov in front of a packed crowd. The match had an unfortunate end in the fourth set after Dimitrov retired due to a leg injury, with Tiafoe just two games away from a famous victory.
Tiafoe won the first set comfortably before Dimitrov won the second set tie-break to level things up. However, the American took his game to another level in the next two sets and ended up winning the match 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1.
Tiafoe will now face Fritz in the semifinal at Flushing Meadows. The final in 2024 is guaranteed to see an American men's player for the first time since Andy Roddick in 2006.