Taylor Fritz sets up final with Sinner in US Open 2024 mens draw

 

In a remarkable achievement, Jannik Sinner, the world’s top-ranked player, made history by becoming the first Italian man to reach the US Open final after a commanding straight-sets victory over a struggling Jack Draper on Friday.

Sinner, already a Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open, displayed his elite form, securing a 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 triumph. He now prepares to face Taylor Fritz in what promises to be an electrifying championship match on Sunday.

The Italian top seed capitalized on Draper’s sixth double fault to break serve in the critical 11th game, subsequently wrapping up the first set with a flawless love game.

The second set turned dramatic when Draper, battling visible illness, vomited courtside. Meanwhile, Sinner endured a scare of his own, injuring his left wrist after a fall while chasing down a difficult shot.

Despite the injury, Sinner displayed impressive resilience, winning the point. Draper, showing commendable grit, held his serve for a 5-4 lead. Both players required medical attention, with Sinner needing a full timeout. However, the determined Italian returned to the court and decisively controlled the tiebreak, giving him a commanding two-set lead.

As the third set unfolded, Draper’s physical exhaustion became more apparent, reducing his movement to a near walking pace. Sensing his opponent’s vulnerability, Sinner pounced on the opportunity, efficiently closing out the set and securing a well-earned spot in the US Open final.

In the other semi-final, Taylor Fritz overcame Frances Tiafoe in a thrilling all-American duel at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, September 7. Fritz triumphed 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, advancing to his first-ever Grand Slam final, becoming the first American man since 2006 to reach the US Open final.

Fritz came out of the gates strong, breaking Tiafoe early in the first set, aided by a double fault and a costly forehand volley error from his opponent. Although Tiafoe held his serve in the fourth game, he soon found his rhythm, winning five consecutive games and breaking Fritz twice to claim the opening set.

The second set saw a tense battle, with both players holding serve consistently and offering few long rallies. At 5-4, Fritz forced Tiafoe into a set-point situation in the 10th game, but Tiafoe responded with a brilliant forehand volley winner. Fritz, however, remained composed, held his serve, and finally broke Tiafoe with a double fault, securing the set with a precise backhand volley to level the match at 1-1.

Tiafoe roared back in the third set, breaking Fritz early with a stunning forehand winner in the first game. He held his serve throughout, sealing the set and moving within one set of the final.

However, Fritz was far from finished. In the fourth set, he displayed impressive mental fortitude, breaking Tiafoe late to win it 6-4, forcing the match into an exhilarating fifth-set showdown. With everything on the line, Fritz unleashed his best tennis, dominating Tiafoe by winning four consecutive games and breaking his opponent twice.

Tiafoe managed to earn a break point in the fifth game, but it was too little, too late. Fritz broke him again in the next game and finished the match in style with an emphatic ace, booking his place in the US Open final.