2024 US Open, Frances Tiafoe vs Taylor Fritz: Semi-final preview
What's the story
Frances Tiafoe set up an all-American semifinal at the 2024 US Open, after Grigor Dimitrov exited the quarter-final match in the fourth set, due to an injury as the score line read 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 4-1.
Tiafoe will play fellow American Taylor Fritz in the semi-final on Saturday.
This will be the first all-American Semi-final clash at the US Open since 2005.
Journey
Fritz defeats Alexander Zvrev for a spot in semis
Fritz who is ranked 12th, beat Alexander Zverev ranked fourth with a scoreline of 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3). This semi-final marks the American's first-ever Grand Slam last-four.
Fritz defeated Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the first round and Italian Matteo Berrettini in the second round.
He defeated Argentine Francisco Comesana in the third round and trumped Norwegian Casper Ruud in R16.
Journey
Tiafoe's journey to US Open SF
Tiafoe ranked 20th, defeated fellow American Aleksandar Kovacevic in the first round, then beat Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko in the second round.
He faced off against 13th-ranked American Ben Shelton in the third round and trumped against Australian Alexei Popyrin in the Round of 16, setting up his quarter-final against Dimitrov.
This semi-final will be Tiafoe's second semi-final in three years after his 2022 appearance.
Summary
Fritz vs Zverev match summary and H2H
Zverev served 14 aces compared to Fritz's 12 aces. The American committed five double faults one more than Zeverev.
Fritz had a win percentage of 81 and 60 on his first and second serve respectively. Fritz converted 2/13, and the German also was able to convert 2/4 break points.
With this win, Fritz matched Zverev 5-5 in terms of head-to-head on the ATP Tour.
Match summary
Tiafoe vs Dimitrov match summary and H2H
Dimitrov served eight aces compared to Tiafoe's three aces. The American committed five double faults compared to the Bulgarian's 11 faults.
Tiafoe had a win percentage of 74 and 73 on his first and second serve respectively. Tiafoe converted 6/14, and Dimitrov was able to convert 1/4 break points.
With this Dimitrov still leads Tiafoe 3-2 in terms of head-to-head on the ATP Tour.
History
Fritz leads Tiafoe 6-1 in terms of H2H
This is the first semi-final between a pair of American men at any major since 2005 when Andre Agassi defeated Robby Ginepri in New York.
As per ATP, the winner between Tiafoe and Fritz will become the first American man to make a Slam singles final since 2009 Wimbledon.
Additionally, Fritz leads Tiafoe 6-1 in terms of head-to-head on the ATP Tour.