Frances Tiafoe has set up a US Open semifinal against Taylor Fritz, ensuring an American man will compete in the singles final in New York for the first time in 18 years. The last American man to claim a Grand Slam singles title was Andy Roddick, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2003.
Roddick was also the last American man to reach a US Open final, losing to Roger Federer in 2006. However, that drought will soon end, as Fritz overcame his previous Grand Slam quarterfinal struggles by edging out Alexander Zverev with a score of 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).
Tiafoe advanced after his opponent, Grigor Dimitrov, was forced to retire due to injury. At the time of retirement, Tiafoe was leading 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1, as Dimitrov struggled with a hamstring issue.
"I didn't want to end it like that, for me or the crowd. But Friday is going to be one hell of a day," said Tiafoe, the 20th seed. "It's the biggest match of mine and Taylor's lives."
This marks Tiafoe's third major semifinal and Fritz's first, having previously lost all four of his matches at this stage of a Grand Slam. Fritz expressed his excitement after defeating the fourth-seeded Zverev. "Today just felt different," said the 26-year-old. "I really felt like it was my time to go a step further. It's only fitting I'm doing it here on this court, at the Open, in front of this crowd."
Fritz's victory follows New Yorker Emma Navarro's win over Paula Badosa, securing her spot in the women's singles semifinals.
Comments
Post a Comment