For his first Grand Slam final, American Fritz will challenge Sinner

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.