Two U.S. men will square off in the semifinals of the U.S. Open after No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz and No. 20 Frances Tiafoe won their quarterfinal matches on Tuesday in New York.
As a result, a home-country player will compete in the final of the year’s last major for the first time since Andy Roddick was the runner-up in 2006. No U.S. player has won a Grand Slam title since Roddick captured the 2003 U.S. Open championship.
Fritz punched his ticket to his first Grand Slam semifinal by toppling No. 4 Alexander Zverev of Germany 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3).
Tiafoe advanced when No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria retired due to an apparent leg injury while trailing 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 4-1.
Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, had advanced to four Grand Slam quarterfinals since 2022 and never pushed into the next round before Tuesday’s triumph in front of an American crowd that was behind him all the way.
“I feel amazing. I’ve had a lot of looks at quarterfinals over the past couple of years, but today felt different,” Fritz said in the on-court interview. “It felt like it was my time to take it a step further, and it’s only fitting that I’m doing it in front of this crowd.”
Zverev gave Fritz a tough test. The German had more winners (52 to 42), fewer unforced errors (42 to 48) and more aces (14 to 12). He also saved a whopping 11 of 13 break points.
But Fritz overcame that by controlling the first- and fourth-set tiebreakers. The players held serve throughout both sets; Zverev saved triple set point in the 12th game of the first set and went on to tie it 6-6.
Fritz fell behind 2-1 in the first-set tiebreaker before rattling off six straight points to win the set. After Zverev won the first break point of the match late in the second set, Fritz took the third set, even as Zverev saved another four set points in the final game.
Fritz sped out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth-set tiebreaker and never looked back.
He said in his on-court interview that he has valued becoming more than just a player with a big serve.
“I’ve worked on adding so much to my game,” Fritz said. “I feel like my forehand and backhand have kind of always been there, but I’m trying to come to the net a little bit, trying to mix in some drop shots, just trying to add stuff to my game so I can back up my serve in better.”
Tiafoe, a 26-year-old Maryland native, made it to the semifinals in New York in 2022 and reached the quarterfinals last year. He is back in the final four after saving three of the four break points he faced against Dimitrov while converting six of his 14 break chances.
“Obviously, it’s not the way I want to get through. But obviously happy to get through,” Tiafoe said. “Another semifinal here. Incredible. …
“It was a really, really high-level match. … But obviously, I didn’t want it to end like that.”
Tiafoe won 67 percent of his second-serve points while Dimitrov won just 37 percent of his second-serve points.
Fritz and Tiafoe will compete in the first all-American U.S. Open semifinal since Andre Agassi defeated Robby Ginepri in 2005.
Speaking to the crowd, Tiafoe said, “Ultimately, you guys get to see me again, against another American, so Friday is going to be one hell of a day.”
Dimitrov came up short in a bid to reach his fourth career Grand Slam semifinal and second at the U.S. Open (2019).
–Field Level Media
After two thrilling quarterfinal matches, two U.S. men have secured their spots in the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe emerged victorious, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between American players in the final stages of the tournament.
The last time a home-country player competed in the final of the U.S. Open was in 2006 when Andy Roddick finished as the runner-up. Since Roddick’s victory in 2003, no U.S. player has claimed a Grand Slam title, adding to the significance of Fritz and Tiafoe’s achievements in reaching the semifinals.
In a hard-fought match, Taylor Fritz defeated the fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev in four sets, showcasing his determination and skill on the court. On the other side, Frances Tiafoe advanced to the next round after Grigor Dimitrov retired due to an injury, securing his spot in the semifinals once again.
Fritz, a California native, expressed his joy at reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal, emphasizing the support he received from the American crowd during the match. Despite facing a formidable opponent in Zverev, Fritz’s resilience and strategic play enabled him to secure a pivotal win.
Similarly, Tiafoe, representing Maryland, demonstrated his prowess on the court by overcoming Dimitrov and securing his place in the semifinals. Despite the unfortunate circumstances of Dimitrov’s retirement, Tiafoe’s performance highlighted his skill and determination to succeed at this level of competition.
Both players have showcased their growth and development in their respective games, with Fritz emphasizing his focus on expanding his skills beyond serving and Tiafoe highlighting his consistent performance under pressure. Their upcoming matchup in the all-American U.S. Open semifinal promises an exciting clash between two talented players vying for a spot in the final.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the U.S. Open continue to grow, with fans eagerly awaiting the semifinal matchup between Fritz and Tiafoe. The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two rising stars of American tennis, setting the scene for a memorable showdown on the court.
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Conclusion:
As the U.S. Open semifinals approach, tennis fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the showdown between Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe. With both players demonstrating their skill and determination in reaching this stage of the tournament, the all-American matchup promises to be an exciting and memorable event. As the final stages of the tournament unfold, the spirit of competition and sportsmanship will be on full display, showcasing the best that tennis has to offer. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates and analysis as the U.S. Open continues to captivate audiences and inspire the next generation of tennis stars.
