When Taylor Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, and Frances Tiafoe, a 26-year-old from Maryland, strode under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights Friday night for the first US Open semifinal matching two American men in 19 years, the crowd might have been forgiven for not knowing whom to support.
There was a burst of clapping right before the initial point, a curtain-raiser befitting the show about to unfold. Once the match commenced, maybe the momentum shifts made it tough to choose between a pair of close pals who have known each other since they were playing tournaments for kids younger than 14.
In the end, the roars were for Fritz, who surged with a six-game run against a fading and frustrated Tiafoe to come out on top 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and reach his first Grand Slam final.
“It’s the reason why I do what I do,” Fritz told the fans, his voice cracking during a postmatch interview. “It’s the reason why I work so hard.”
The No. 12-seeded Fritz’s seventh victory in eight professional meetings against No. 20 Tiafoe earned a showdown against No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the championship Sunday.
“He was overwhelming from the baseline so much … and I just tried to tell myself to stay in it and fight,” said Fritz, who was two games from losing in the fourth set. “I told myself that if I didn’t give it absolutely everything I had — to just stick with it and see if his level might drop a little bit — then I was going to regret it for a long time.”
He will be the first U.S. man to appear in a major final since Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009. If he can get past Sinner, Fritz would become the first U.S. man to win a Slam trophy since Roddick won his 21 years ago at the US Open.
“It’s a dream come true. I’m in the final. So I’m going to come out and give everything I can possibly give,” Fritz said. “I can’t wait.”
Fritz said he thought Friday night’s semifinal was more stressful than Sunday’s final would be, noting the high stakes of two Americans vying for a chance to play for their country’s Grand Slam.
“To be honest, I don’t think that I’m gonna be put in a more stressful situation than I was today,” Fritz said. “I think today was much more stressful than me playing the final.”
He added, “It’s different from playing the world No. 1, who you’re probably not going to be the favorite against.”
Indeed, Sinner is a -400 favorite to win the title at ESPN BET (Fritz is +300). Entering the tournament, Fritz was +2800 to win the…
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