Taylor Fritz has the chance to end the nearly two-decade-long Grand Slam title drought for American men, following his victory over fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a five-set thriller on Friday. Fritz came from behind to defeat Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, securing his spot in the US Open final.
Fritz, the No. 12 seed, will now face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s championship match. Sinner earned his place in the final after overcoming Britain’s Jack Draper in a hard-fought, straight-set semifinal, winning 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2.
For Fritz, this is his first Grand Slam final, and with the support of the home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, he’s eager to make history. “It’s the reason why I do what I do,” Fritz said emotionally. “I’m in the finals of the US Open, and I’m going to give everything I have.”
This match marks a major moment for American tennis, as Fritz becomes the first American man to reach the US Open final since Andy Roddick in 2006. The 26-year-old Californian will aim to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam since Roddick’s 2003 US Open triumph.
Sinner, the 23-year-old Italian, is on a 10-match winning streak and seeks his second Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open earlier this year. Sunday’s final will also be Sinner’s first at the US Open, making him the first Italian man to reach the singles final in the tournament’s history.
With their head-to-head record tied at 1-1, the final promises to be a competitive showdown. “I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win,” Fritz confidently said. “When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”
As both players gear up for the final, the match will be a test of skill, endurance, and mental fortitude, as Fritz aims to end the 20-year American drought, while Sinner seeks to further cement his place as the world’s top player.