Taylor Fritz is on the verge of breaking a long-standing drought for American men in tennis. No American man has won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory. Fritz now has a chance to change that narrative, with the US Open final just one match away.
A Hard-Fought Semifinal Victory
On Friday, Fritz fought through adversity, overcoming a two-sets-to-one deficit to defeat fellow American Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1. The victory earned him his first career appearance in a US Open final. After the match, Fritz expressed his joy, saying, “This is why I do it, why I put in the hard work. I’ve made it to the US Open final, and that’s what I’ve always worked toward.”
Showdown with Jannik Sinner in the Final
Fritz will now face world number one Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s championship match. Sinner reached his first-ever US Open final by defeating Britain’s Jack Draper in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2. The 23-year-old Italian is currently on a 10-match winning streak and is aiming for his second Grand Slam title, having won the Australian Open earlier this year. Sinner also made history by becoming the first Italian man to reach a US Open final.
Historical Context for American Tennis
The presence of Andy Roddick at Arthur Ashe Stadium during Fritz’s semifinal was significant. Roddick remains the last American man to reach a Grand Slam final (2009 Wimbledon) and the last to appear in a US Open final, in 2006. Now, Fritz becomes the first American to follow in his footsteps, a milestone for American tennis.
Fritz vs. Sinner: A Tight Rivalry
The final between Fritz and Sinner promises to be a compelling contest. Their head-to-head record stands at 1-1, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the match. Despite the stakes, Fritz remains confident and believes he can handle the pressure. “I’ll come out and give it everything I have. To be honest, I don’t think the pressure in the final will be more intense than it was today against Frances. Today was a lot more nerve-racking,” Fritz said.
Tiafoe’s Disappointment
While Fritz celebrated his victory, Tiafoe was left disappointed. “It’s tough to swallow,” he admitted. “I was just too tight tonight, and it hurts.” This semifinal marked the first all-American men’s singles matchup at the US Open since Andre Agassi defeated Robby Ginepri in 2005.
A Tennis Family Legacy
Born in California, Fritz hails from a tennis family. His mother, Kathy May Fritz, was a former WTA player who reached a career-high ranking of No. 10 in 1977. His father, Guy Fritz, was a tennis coach, adding to the deep tennis roots that shaped his journey.
Looking Ahead to the US Open Final
As Fritz prepares for the final, he remains optimistic. “I’ve always enjoyed playing against Jannik,” Fritz said. “Honestly, the pressure today was bigger than what I’ll feel in the final. I just have a good feeling that I’ll play well.”
