Fritz edges Tiafoe in 5-set thriller, set to face Sinner in US Open final

New York, US, Sep 6 (EFE).- Taylor Fritz outlasted Frances Tiafoe in a gripping five-set battle to reach his first Grand Slam final, where he will face Jannik Sinner at the US Open on Sunday.

Fritz secured his dramatic victory over Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final at the US Open on Friday, booking his place in the final against the Italian.

In a thrilling match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Fritz, ranked 12th in the world, rallied from behind to defeat 20th-ranked Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in three hours and 18 minutes. The 26-year-old Californian reached his first Grand Slam final after making his debut in a major semi-final.

Tiafoe, also 26, fell short once again, having previously reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2022 before losing to Spanish Carlos Alcaraz.

American men haven’t won the US Open title since Andy Roddick in 2003, and Fritz will be the first American Grand Slam finalist since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009. The last American finalist at the US Open was also Roddick in 2006.

Fritz, who has now won all seven encounters against Tiafoe since their first match in 2016, showed resilience and stamina, outlasting his opponent in the final set.

“It’s the reason I do what I do, the reason I work so hard. I am in the finals of the US Open,” he said, tearing up.

“It’s a dream come true, and I am going to give it everything I have,” said Fritz about his upcoming match with Sinner.

The two have met twice before at Indian Wells, with Fritz winning their 2021 round of 16 match and Sinner taking the 2023 quarterfinal clash.

Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula will also have a chance to make history as she faces Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s final.

In the other semi-final, Sinner defeated Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2 in a grueling three-hour match marked by Draper’s multiple on-court vomiting incidents.

Sinner, the Australian Open champion and Cincinnati Masters winner, aims to secure his second Grand Slam title against Fritz.

Sinner’s path to the final has been notable, especially with early exits of top players Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. EFE

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