TENNIS | US OPEN
When does Taylor Fritz play next at the 2024 US Open? Who will he face in the semi-final?
It has been a very impressive showing from the Americans thus far in Flushing Meadows, with a final now guaranteed.
Taylor Fritz has lined up a thrilling US Open semifinal showdown on Friday, September 6, 2024. Given the men’s tennis game hasn’t been very ‘American’ in recent years, the home crowd gets a chance to see two of the current stars of the sport go head-to-head, as Fritz faces compatriot and childhood friend, Frances Tiafoe.
This all-American clash guarantees that, for the first time since 2006, a homegrown player will battle for the US Open men’s title. Not one to be missed.
Who has Fritz beaten to reach the US Open semifinal?
Fritz’s journey to this point was hard-fought. In his quarter-final match against Germany’s Alexander Zverev, the American pulled off an impressive victory in four sets, 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3). While the 26-year-old did momentarily wobble in the second set, he stayed strong and took some clutch moments of the tiebreak in the fourth to see him into this appetising Grand Slam semifinal.
This marks a major breakthrough for the 26-year-old, who had previously been a familiar face in Grand Slam quarter-finals but struggled to push further. However, on this particular day at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Fritz was really in the mood and the crowd loved every minute of it.
Who has Tiafoe beaten to reach the US Open semifinal?
As if the tennis gods themselves had scripted it, Tiafoe also punched his ticket to the semifinals. He overcame Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov similarly in four sets, dropping the second, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-1, although it was an injury that ending the match, Dimitrov unable to continue in the fourth.
With his usual charisma and a love for the big stage, Tiafoe promised that this upcoming all-American semifinal would be “epic,” suggesting that fans should get their popcorn ready. “It’s going to be a fun one on Friday,” he declared.
Fritz vs Tiafoe: who has won more?
In terms of head-to-head, Fritz has had the upper hand over the years, winning six of their seven encounters. However, as Tiafoe was quick to remind everyone, this isn’t just any match – it’s the US Open, at night, on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. “It’s different on Ashe,” he said. “We’re totally different personalities.”
Lots at stake for Fritz and Tiafoe
Aside from pride, bragging rights, and the support of the home crowd, both players clearly have the bigger incentive of becoming the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick in 2009 at Wimbledon. That’s 15 years ago! And if whoever makes it there takes the last step, they will be the first American to win a Grand Slam title since Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory. More than two decades ago! You can thank the likes of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and even Murray for that.
As Alcaraz and then Djokovic exited the tournament, there was a growing feeling that this title was there for a surprise taking. And the Fritz-Tiafoe clash has dreams edging closer.
What time is the Fritz-Tiafoe semifinal?
This match is set to take place on Friday evening, likely starting around 7 p.m. ET following the first semifinal which begins at 3 p.m., and as we know, night matches on Arthur Ashe can often be very special indeed. But whether you’re Team Fritz or Team Tiafoe, one thing is certain: whoever wins, there will be definitely be some Stars and Stripes representation in Sunday’s final.