Fritz outduels Frances Tiafoe to reach US final

Mohamed Magdy  

45 w

Fritz outduels Frances Tiafoe to reach US final

When Taylor Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, and Frances Tiafoe, a 26-year-old from Maryland, strode under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights Friday night for the first US Open semifinal matching two American men in 19 years, the crowd might have been forgiven for not knowing whom to support.

There was a burst of clapping right before the initial point, a curtain-raiser befitting the show about to unfold. Once the match commenced, maybe the momentum shifts made it tough to choose between a pair of close pals who have known each other since they were playing tournaments for kids younger than 14.

In the end, the roars were for Fritz, who surged with a six-game run against a fading and frustrated Tiafoe to come out on top 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and reach his first Grand Slam final.

"It's the reason why I do what I do," Fritz told the fans, his voice cracking during a postmatch interview. "It's the reason why I work so hard."

The No. 12-seeded Fritz's seventh victory in eight professional meetings against No. 20 Tiafoe earned a showdown against No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the championship Sunday.


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