It had been more than 15 years since an American man had appeared in a major singles final. Eighteen years since one had reached the final weekend at the US Open. And it’s been 21 years since one has hoisted the silverware as a Grand Slam champion.
Taylor Fritz has broken two of those droughts, and will attempt to end the third – and biggest – when he lines up against world No.1 Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final at Flushing Meadows.
Fritz continued his head-to-head domination of Frances Tiafoe, winning for the seventh time in eight career meetings with his friend and countryman. From two-sets-to-one down, a fitter, more focused Fritz stormed to a 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 6-1 triumph under lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Earlier in the day, reigning Australian Open champion Sinner overcame Jack Draper in straight sets to progress to his second major final of 2024.
“I think I hadn't really, like, fully, I guess, registered. It hit me when Banks [Chris Eubanks] said the thing about how I'm in the finals and the crowd was cheering,” Fritz said of his on-court interview, during which he became visibly emotional.
“It's just joy, like, the crowd cheering and kind of that realisation, like wow, I'm in, like, the finals of the US Open. It's such a lifelong, I guess, dream come true, something I've worked my whole life for to be in this situation.
“I think just kind of like realising that got me a little bit choked up.”
Fellow American Andy Roddick is the man Fritz is looking to emulate.
Roddick was the last US man to appear in a Slam final, when he fell 16-14 in the fifth set of his dramatic 2009 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer.
Roddick was also the last American man to reach the US Open final when he did so in 2006, and was the last to win a major title when he triumphed at the same event in 2003.
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That year, Roddick peaked at world No.1, and ever since the United States – a proud tennis nation with the most Davis Cup titles of any country – has been searching for his successor.
In Fritz, they may have found him.
The 26-year-old has been methodical and steady in his progress, similar to fellow American women’s finalist Jessica Pegula. Like Pegula, he’d already reached multiple Grand Slam quarterfinals without breaking that barrier, until this event.
A four-set win over Alexander Zverev was his first Slam quarterfinal win in five attempts, a victory defined by his positive body language, commitment to a successful game plan, and, while harder to quantify, an aura of growing confidence and belief.
Then came the five-set win over Tiafoe.
“I think regardless of the result, I think it gives hope and shows that we're knocking on the door of winning a Slam, and we have this generation, this group of guys where there's, like, four or five of us that are, like, actually at this level,” said Fritz of himself and countrymen Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton and Sebastian Korda, all currently ranked inside the top 20.
“It shows that we're all moving in the right direction. I think that whenever one of us does something, the others follow, the others get belief from it.
“I think this is just the start for all of us.”
Currently ranked 12th, Fritz is projected to return to world No.7 with his run to the US Open final.
And he is seeking to surpass his previously biggest victory at the Indian Wells Masters, a title win that helped push him to a career-high ranking of No.5.
Fritz’s coach Michael Russell believes that Indian Wells victory laid the early foundations for what has played out this fortnight at the US Open.
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“Beating Rublev in the semi and then especially Rafa in the final after Rafa won Australia, he [Nadal] was coming in undefeated, and to win a Masters. He wasn't really picked to win a Masters at that stage in his career,” Russell reflected.
“I think that just catapulted his belief in his own game, that, hey, I am one of the best players in the world, I can beat all these guys.”
It was Sinner who ended Fritz’ Indian Wells title defence last year in the quarterfinals, the most recent time they met.
But Sinner needed three sets to do so, and recognised the threat the American posed, especially with the vocal backing of 23,000 fans in Arthur Ashe Stadium, willing their player to a long-awaited triumph on home soil.
“Big serve. Very solid player from the back of the court. He can hit strong. He can hit with rotation. He can mix up the game very well,” Sinner assessed. “He has played a lot this year, so, you know, he has a lot of rhythm of the match.”
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Indeed, Fritz has won 44 matches already this season and the US Open marks his fourth tournament final of 2024.
But those numbers don’t quite match what Sinner has produced in an outstanding year.
The young Italian is an incredible 54-5 after winning his first major title at the AO and becoming the only player, man or woman, to reach at least the quarterfinal stage at all four Slams.
He is a perfect 5-0 in finals this year – also winning Masters crowns in Miami and Cincinnati – and arrives in his sixth final on an 10-match winning streak.
Sinner is unquestionably the favourite, and Fritz knows he faces the toughest of assignments if he wants to etch his name into American sporting history.
But, as we alluded to earlier, that aura of confidence and belief continues to shine through.
“I've always enjoyed playing him,” Fritz said.
“I just feel good. I have a feeling I'm going to come out and play really well and win. When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.
“It's different [playing a friend and fellow American] from playing the World No.1 who you're probably not going to be the favourite against.
“He hits the ball big, he's like a very strong ball striker, but I feel like I always hit the ball really nice off of his ball.
“I think I typically play well against him.”