Having watched one American fail in her efforts to win the US Open last night, Taylor Fritz will be hoping to do what Jessica Pegula could not and upset a far more favoured opponent.
Just reaching the final alone has marked a shock, however he has had to grind for his place at this stage, beating Matteo Berrettini, Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev and compatriot Frances Tiafoe.
With all this preparation, his toughest test still awaits, but one pundit has faith in his abilities.
John McEnroe outlined exactly what will have to be done for Taylor Fritz to compete on the night.
John McEnroe previews men’s US Open final
Speaking to ESPN, just before last night’s women’s showcase final, McEnroe sought to preview how Fritz might get on as he seeks to disrupt the world number one’s progress.
Despite all the drama that continues to swirl around Jannik Sinner, he has brushed aside any distractions to soar into the final.
It seems nobody can beat him, but with the entire crowd on his side, and enjoying a historic run already, there’s no reason why Fritz can’t do the unthinkable.
McEnroe certainly thinks it’s possible, but detailed exactly what his compatriot would have to do to stand a chance.
He claimed: ‘I see a match where Fritz is going to have to serve as big as he’s ever served. He’s going to have to try and dictate when he can. He’s got to take advantage of opportunities when Sinner’s first-serve percentage drops a little, attack that.’
Despite beating him, Tiafoe thinks Fritz reaching the US Open final will open the floodgates now for American tennis.
Taylor Fritz could make American tennis history
Regardless of the result, Fritz will already have made US tennis history, being the first man from his country to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick in 2009.
Then, were he to actually win the whole thing, he’d be the first to win one since Roddick again, but this time way back in 2003 also at the US Open.
And there’s every chance he could too.
Anyone with a serve as monstrous as Fritz’s has the capability to trouble most opponents, and having really boosted his consistency in recent years as well, he’s grown into a remarkably well-rounded player.
Naturally, he will have to be at his absolute best to overcome the 23-year-old, but stranger things have happened.
No doubt Arthur Ashe will be there to roar him on to victory, with him all the way as he seeks to write his name in history.
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