The local qualified for the final of the New York tournament after his victory against Frances Tiafoe (4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1).
American Taylor Fritz (world number 12) qualified for his first Grand Slam final by dominating his compatriot Frances Tiafoe (20th) 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Friday at the US Open tennis tournament in New York. The 26-year-old will face Italian world number 1 Jannik Sinner on Sunday, who beat Briton Jack Draper.
Never a semi-finalist in a Grand Slam before the tournament, Fritz becomes the first American to reach the final of a Major, in the men’s category, since Andy Roddick in 2009 at Wimbledon. “This is why I do this sport, it’s a dream come true”Fritz said on the court, with tears in his eyes. The Americans have not won a men’s Grand Slam since Roddick’s title at the US Open in 2003.
Fritz pushes his friend Tiafoe aside
Fritz succeeded on Friday on the immense Arthur-Ashe court in defeating Tiafoe, a long-time friend, at the end of a match that was undecided for a long time, so close were the levels of the two players.
Tiafoe first knew how to play the important points perfectly and seize his rare break opportunities to lead 2 sets to 1. “He dominated me from the back of the court, took the ball very early, changed the angles, he was really on top. I concentrated on my serve, I did everything to stay in the game.”Fritz said.
“In many ways I felt like I wasn’t doing anything wrong and he was dominating me. I had to accept that, it helped me stay calm and make the right choices afterwards.” Fritz remained patient, took advantage of a missed drop shot from his opponent to pocket the fourth set, before quickly flying away at the start of the fifth set (4-0), never to be seen again.
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