Fritz vs Tiafoe guarantees American man in US Open final

An American man will play in the US Open singles final on Sunday. But first, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe must decide who that man will be.

Aflo / Panoramic

Ricky Dimon

September 4, 2024

For the first time since 2009, an American man will be in a Grand Slam singles final.

That much was guaranteed after Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe secured their spots in the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday. Fritz knocked off Alexander Zverev 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) during the afternoon session before the nightcap saw Tiafoe get a retirement from Grigor Dimitrov while leading 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-1.

Thus it will be Fritz vs Tiafoe on Friday, likely in primetime.

“Friday’s gonna be one hell of a day,” Tiafoe said during his on-court interview.

“It’s the biggest match of me and Taylor’s life. We’ve known each other for so long; I’ve been playing against him since the 14s. To be able to play him here on the biggest arena in one of the biggest matches in the world, it’s gonna be awesome.”

HISTORY FOR AMERICAN MEN’S TENNIS

It has been 15 years since an American man last played in a singles championship match at a major. At Wimbledon in 2009, Andy Roddick lost a five-set heartbreaker against Roger Federer. Nobody since then has made it back — until now, at least.

Fritz vs Tiafoe will also mark the first all-American men’s singles semi at the US Open since 2005, when Andre Agassi defeated Robby Ginepri in five sets. Agassi lost to Federer in the title match.

“Obviously there’s always a lot of talk of the next American to win a Grand Slam,” Fritz’s coach, Michael Russell, said after his charge defeated Fritz. “(We’re) pretty far from it still, but — you know — one step closer.”

Pretty far, yes. But now closer than at any point in the last 15 years.