Fritz ends 15-year wait for American male Slam finalist

Taylor Fritz became the first American in 15 years to reach a Grand Slam singles final when he beat countryman Frances Tiafoe in a five-set thriller at the US Open.

Fritz came back from behind to beat his good friend Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 under the New York lights.

Andy Roddick was the last American to win a major singles title, triumphing at the US Open in 2003.

Roddick was also the last American to reach a Grand Slam singles final (at Wimbledon in 2009), as well as the last to reach a US Open final in 2006.

Fritz will do it Facing world number one Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final at Flushing Meadows.

The 12th seed had never made it past the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam in four attempts.

“I was overwhelmed at first and a little nervous,” said Fritz, 26.

“I did everything I could to stay there. If I hadn’t, I would regret it forever.”

It is the second semi-final loss in two years for Tiafoe, who was defeated by eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz at the same stage in 2022.

There could also be an American champion in the women’s singles final when Jessica Pegula will face Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.

Fritz enjoyed a positive start in front of a packed stadium at Arthur Ashe, breaking Tiafoe at the first opportunity to take a 3-0 lead.

But Tiafoe, one of the most attractive players in the sport, reset and won six of the next seven games to close out the first set.

Fritz was much more competitive in the second set, dropping just one point on serve before breaking Tiafoe’s serve as he tried to force a tie-break.

However, Fritz soon lost all momentum.

Tiafoe broke serve in the first game of the third and his powerful serve, combined with impressive athleticism, allowed him to take a two-sets-to-one lead.

The pressure was on, however. Tiafoe, serving at 4-5, double-faulted twice to go from 40-15 to 2-0, before two wild errors gifted the set to Fritz.

Tiafoe struggled to regain his intensity, and Fritz raced out to a 4-0 lead before his opponent, cheered on by the crowd, pulled a break back.

It wasn’t enough, however, as Tiafoe immediately fell 0-40 down on serve before being broken immediately and Fritz confidently served out the win.