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Excitement was high, but the match lacked the typical Grand Slam semifinal quality. Taylor Fritz defeated Frances Tiafoe 3-2 (4:6, 7:5, 4:6, 6:4, 6:1) to reach the US Open final, becoming the first American man to do so since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
Tiafoe was in control until he lost serve in the fourth set, leading to a collapse. Fritz won six consecutive games to secure the victory. He’ll face Jannik Sinner in the final on Sunday evening, while Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula will compete in the women’s singles final on Saturday at 10:00 PM.
Taylor Fritz on his victory
Fritz couldn’t hide his emotions after securing his first major final. Following a thrilling five-set battle, the American earned his spot in the US Open final, where he will face the talented Italian Jannik Sinner. Fritz was visibly emotional after the match, reflecting on his feelings during the press conference. The 26-year-old from San Diego admitted to being quite emotional, especially after such a thrilling end. He expressed how overwhelmed he was by the crowd’s support and how hard it is to describe the emotions of reaching the final of such a significant tournament. For Fritz, who dreamed of this moment as a child, it’s an indescribable achievement.
“It hit me when he [Eubanks] said the thing about how I'm in the finals and the crowd was cheering,” Fritz said, as quoted by ATP Tour.
“It's just kind of like how I am. I'm more of an emotional person when I'm happy. When I'm really happy I cry at happy endings of movies and not at sad stuff. That's kind of just how I am.
It's just joy, the crowd cheering and kind of that realisation, like ‘Wow, I'm in the finals of the US Open. It's such a lifelong dream come true. Something I've worked my whole life for to be in this situation. I think just kind of like realising that got me a little bit choked up.”
Fritz talked about the possibility of an American winning a major title for the first time in 21 years. He believes this moment gives hope and shows that American players are getting close to winning big tournaments. Fritz pointed out that there are several top American players right now, and their progress is encouraging. He feels that when one player succeeds, it boosts the confidence of the others and helps them push forward. For Fritz, this is just the beginning, and he’s excited about what the future holds for American tennis.
American tennis has made significant progress, with many players now in the top 100. However, they still lack a top-tier player who can consistently win major tournaments and reach finals. There’s hope that Fritz might be the one to fill that gap. With a 26-year-old facing the immense pressure of ending a long drought without a major title, it’s a big challenge. Nonetheless, there's confidence that Fritz knows how to handle this kind of pressure.
Taylor Fritz: I think one thing that's never been in question is just like my heart
Although some doubted that Fritz could step up and be amazing, the 26-year-old American has proven them wrong. He was impressive throughout, never considering giving up. He knew he had a significant opportunity ahead of him and was determined to make the most of it.
“I think one thing that's never been in question is just like my heart and how I'm always going to compete no matter what,” said Fritz.
Fritz focused on staying determined and giving his best effort throughout the match. He knew that if he didn't stay fully committed and fight through every tough moment, he would regret it. He made sure to keep up with his opponent during long rallies to show his endurance and refusal to give up, demonstrating his fitness and determination to win every point.
The 26-year-old Fritz admitted that he has always enjoyed facing Sinner, who is the top-ranked player. He views this as an exciting challenge, especially after the stressful match against Tiafoe. Fritz feels that this upcoming match with Sinner won't be as stressful as the previous one. He is confident about performing well and winning, believing that having confidence is crucial and that everything else will fall into place.
Fritz feels that when he plays at his best, it's enough to secure a victory. Sinner, a well-known name in tennis who has been performing greatly for a while, will be an interesting challenge for Fritz. However, it also presents a great opportunity for him to prove he belongs at the top of the sport.
English (US)