US Open 2024: How Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz lastly broke via to arrange a historic showdown

Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will meet on the US Open semifinals in an all-American battle on Friday. Irrespective of the consequence, one in all them will turn into the primary American man to achieve a Grand Slam remaining since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.

This can mark the primary time two American males face one another within the US Open semifinals since Robby Ginepri and Andre Agassi met within the 2005 semifinals. 

“Friday goes to be one hell of a day,” Tiafoe stated.

Fritz leads their all-time sequence 6-1, with Tiafoe’s lone win taking place in 2016 at Indian Wells. Regardless of the head-to-head numbers, it must be a aggressive match as each are taking part in their finest tennis. In addition they have the additional incentive of snapping a 21-year drought with no American man successful a serious since Roddick in 2003. An fascinating twist to this showdown is the 2 are good pals who’ve additionally competed as doubles companions for years.

“It is the most important match of me and Taylor’s lives,” Tiafoe stated.”To have the ability to play him right here on the greatest area, in one of many greatest matches on the planet, it’ll be superior. I am unable to be extra excited. I’ll give every thing I received.”

Tiafoe, seeded No. 20, got his semifinal spot after No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov retired due to damage throughout their four-set battle. It wasn’t how he needed to earn his ticket, however Tiafoe did have a powerful displaying and was up 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1 on the time. 

He arrived to New York recent off his first ATP Masters 1000 remaining in Cincinnati, which he stated gave him loads of confidence for the ultimate Grand Slam of the season. The closest he has ever gotten to a serious trophy was on this identical match in 2022, when he gave Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz a troublesome battle within the semifinals. 

“However why not? Why not be holding that trophy?” he told CBS Sports ahead of the 2024 US Open.

Throughout his submit match interview on Tuesday, Tiafoe stated his technique towards Fritz goes to be “dig deep,” use his pace to be aggressive, and clear up his serve as a result of he wasn’t happy with the way it seemed towards Dimitrov.

Tiafoe additionally is aware of the way to feed off a crowd, which is one thing even Fritz highlighted as one of many issues that makes him particularly harmful at Flushing Meadows. 

“Frances is an efficient participant typically, however … he actually likes taking part in right here, and as soon as he kinda will get going, he performs very well.” Fritz stated. “He form of carries that momentum and the vitality from the group, the second.”

Chances are high each People shall be getting loads of vitality from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. Fritz, the best seeded American at No. 12, additionally has loads of momentum coming into this semifinal match. 

He had by no means made it to a Grand Slam semifinal earlier than this match as he arrived with an 0-4 report in main quarterfinals. Nevertheless, Fritz lastly took issues a step additional with a 6-7 (7-2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) victory against No. 4 Alexander Zverev. 

That win marked Fritz’s fourth victory towards a high 10 opponent at a serious this season, probably the most by an American man since Andre Agassi in 1999.

Fritz reached a career-best ATP rating in February 2023 when he landed at No. 5. Nevertheless, this calendar yr has seen him go the furthest he has ever gone in every of the 4 Grand Slams. He began by making the Australian Open quarterfinals, then the fourth spherical on the French Open. He made his second Wimbledon quarterfinal in July, and now right here he’s on the US Open semifinals. 

Fritz stated the important thing to leveling up was that he not felt glad with simply making the quarterfinals. Making it this far was already an enormous achievement for him, however he got here into the US Open in search of extra.

“If it is me who ends (the American drought), then that is like my life’s dream principally, so it will imply every thing to me,” Fritz instructed CBS Sports.

No. 12 Taylor Fritz’s journey to the semifinals

• First spherical: def. Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-5, 6-1, 6-2
• Second spherical: def. Matteo Berrettini: 6-3, 7-6(7-1), 6-1 
• Third spherical: def. Francisco Comesana 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
• Spherical of 16: def. No. 8 Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
• Quarterfinal: def. No. 4 Alexander Zverev 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)

No. 20 Frances Tiafoe’s journey to the semifinals

• First spherical: def. Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
• Second spherical: def. Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 walkover
• Third spherical: def. No. 13 Ben Shelton 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3
• Spherical of 16: def. No. 28 Alexei Popyrin: 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3
• Quarterfinal: def. No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov  6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1 walkover