Fritz reaches maiden Grand Slam semi-final with hard-fought victory over Zverev at US Open
The American came through 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) in a hard-fought US Open quarter-final against Alexander Zverev on Tuesday afternoon.
Taylor Fritz, US Open, 2024 © Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic
Taylor Fritz has reached the first Grand Slam semi-final of his career, beating Alexander Zverev 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) in a gripping US Open quarter-final match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 26-year-old American has broken new ground at a major, and he’s done it as his home Slam, in front of a delighted New York crowd.
Fritz was in excellent form throughout, putting together a rock-solid performance based around his most potent weapon. He served brilliantly, as is typical for someone with the calibre of delivery that Fritz possesses. But today that merely formed the foundation for an all-round performance, with both wings operating effectively, while Zverev’s usually formidable backhand was found wanting.
“Today just felt different,” Fritz told Nick Kyrgios in his on-court interview. “I really felt like it was my time to go a step further. It’s only fitting I’m doing it here on this court, at the Open, in front of this crowd.”
FOUR-SETTER DECIDED BY SMALL MARGINS
Although Fritz got across the finish line in four sets, there was little to separate the two competitors. The world No 12 won two of his victorious sets in tiebreaks and in the other he had to save a break point at 4-4. After holding for 5-4 in the third, Fritz needed five break points in the next game to steal the set.
Although Fritz was superior to Zverev in the biggest moments, the German was not without highlights of his own. He hit the shot of the match with his opponent serving at 1-2, 15-all in the second set.
A big result for American tennis, with Tiafoe still to play
By reaching the last four at the US Open, Fritz has broken his quarter-final hoodoo, having lost all four of his previous last-eight encounters.
It also means that the hope for a first American US Open men’s singles champion remains firmly on track, with the prospect of an all-American final should Frances Tiafoe come through his quarter-final against Grigor Dimitrov.
“I know the crowd would really want to see me play Frances so we get an American in the final,” Fritz added. “That could be crazy, so I guess we’ll see what happens — but either way I’ll be ready to go.”
