4.09.2024 at 09:13 am | Reading time: 2 min
Frances Tiafoe has reached the semifinals of the US Open and will challenge Taylor Fritz there. This means that for the first time in 18 years an American will contest the final of the Grand Slam tournament in New York. Back then, in 2006, Andy Roddick played in the final, which he lost in four sets to the Swiss Roger Federer.
Tiafoe, who reached the semifinals in New York for the first time in 2022, prevailed in his quarterfinal against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. The 26-year-old benefited from an injury-related retirement of his opponent, who is seven years older, in a 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1 win.
“This is not the way I wanted to win, but of course I’m still happy that I reached the semifinals,” said Tiafoe. The semifinal against Fritz will be the “biggest match of our careers. We’ve known each other since we were 14 years old.”
Tiafoe has a poor record against Fritz. He has lost six of the seven duels he has met so far – his only victory in this match was eight years ago. The two will face each other in a Grand Slam match for the second time.
“Nobody is unbeatable, especially this late in the season when everyone is a little bit worn out,” Tiafoe said. “Maybe a little less fresh and therefore vulnerable. It’s quite exciting.”
This also has to do with the fact that Novak Djokovic (Serbia/out in the 3rd round) and Rafael Nadal (Spain/not playing due to injury), who have dominated for many years, are no longer in the form they used to be. “It was only a matter of time, the game is completely open,” said Tiafoe: “It’s not like it used to be when you meet Rafa in the quarterfinals and are already looking for return flights before the game starts.”
