Frances Tiafoe will have to shake off his latest US Open setback rather swiftly if he is to finish his year on a high.
Tiafoe suffered from cramps on his way to another semi-final heartbreak at Flushing Meadows, falling to compatriot Taylor Fritz in five sets after leading 2-1.
Both men were vying for a spot in their maiden grand slam final and to become the first American male to contest a major final since 2009, if the stakes weren’t already high enough.
However, it was Fritz who prevailed to set up a US Open showdown with world number one Jannik Sinner on Sunday.
For Tiafoe, it is back to the drawing board as he attempts to find a way to bounce back from another crushing defeat on native soil.
Frances Tiafoe confirms upcoming schedule after US Open defeat
Frances Tiafoe is no stranger to suffering heartbreak on Arthur Ashe Stadium, having fallen at the semi-finals in 2022 to Carlos Alcaraz and in the quarter-final the following year to Ben Shelton.
However, this defeat to Fritz might have caused him the most pain. It was possibly the biggest opportunity he would get to reach a grand slam final having lead 2-1 before his body gave in.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, however, Tiafoe seems to have taken a mature look at how he is going to approach the final months of the 2024 season.
“This is going to hurt and stuff but I am going to turn the page,” Tiafoe said. “I am going to end the year strong.
“I am going to go to Asia, do the whole thing, and do it the right way. I am going to go to the Laver Cup and compete.
“I’m going to learn from this and work really hard. I am going to be in these positions again for sure and I am hoping for a different outcome.”
A better opportunity may never come again
Having reached his maiden Masters final in Cincinnati, Tiafoe was tipped to go far at the US Open this year, and he did.
The 26-year-old faced his biggest test in the third round when he battled back to defeat Shelton and avenge the loss he suffered 12 months ago.
It started to seem as if the stars were aligning for the American once Novak Djokovic suffered an early exit to blow his draw wide open.
Tiafoe did extremely well to capitalize, beating in-form Alexei Popyrin and Grigor Dimitrov en route to the semi-final but he will feel as if it was his to lose against Fritz.
He had the match on his racket at 2-1 but let it slip agonizingly out of reach.
With the caliber of tennis that exists on the tour right now, it is uncertain as to whether Tiafoe will get a better shot at US Open silverware than this.
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