Taylor Fritz will compete in his first career Grand Slam final after defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in five sets, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, in Friday’s US Open semifinal.
He will face Italian and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who defeated Australia’s Jack Draper earlier Friday in straight sets.
Fritz is the first American man to reach the US Open’s championship match since Andy Roddick lost the 2006 title game to Roger Federer.
Tiafoe appeared to have the upper hand until fatigue seemed to set in approximately midway through the fourth set. At three games apiece, the 26-year-old could only watch as Fritz ripped a cross-court attempt to finish off a grueling 31-shot rally to go up 40-15. The latter then wrapped up that seventh game with one of his 16 aces on the night. Tiafoe lost eight of the next 10 games, committing 12 unforced errors in the fifth set alone.
