Taylor Fritz was forced to rue missed opportunities as his fairytale run to the US Open final was halted by Jannik Sinner.
Fritz was bidding to become the first American male to win the US Open since Andy Roddick in 2003 but could not find a solution to the puzzle that is the world number one.
Jannik Sinner has been the standout performer on tour this year and is not to be taken lightly, but Fritz was left to feel as if he had more to give after a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 defeat.
Momentum started to shift when the American took a 5-3 lead in the third set, however, this was quickly snuffed out as the Italian reeled off four games on the spin to clinch his second grand slam title.
Having contested his maiden major final, it was a week of milestones for Fritz, who now finds himself back inside the world’s top 10 and in strong contention to book his ticket for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
Mats Wilander reflects on US Open final between Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner
Taylor Fritz showed his grit and determination to come from behind to defeat Frances Tiafoe in an epic semi-final.
However, the 26-year-old was going to need a miracle to weather the storm against Sinner in the championship match.
Analyzing the final, Mats Wilander praised Sinner’s efforts while also giving his explanation as to why Fritz might be feeling disheartened.
“This means so much to him [Sinner] and he works so hard,” Wilander told Eurosport. “It’s coming pretty quickly now after winning the Australian Open and got number one in the world but at the same time, I feel like he’s taken his time.
“The steps of improvement are obvious but it’s not so obvious that we think he will win everything from now on.
“He is so solid, so good, he’s great on big points. I think it was a sigh of relief after everything at the end considering how he started the tournament amidst the doping thing but everyone has forgotten about that now of course. Taylor Fritz was really disappointing as I think he had a chance to win but it was not really close.”
Fritz has more to offer
Fritz’s fortnight in New York is a reflection of the impressive resurgence that American tennis has undergone in the last 12 months.
Tiafoe claimed this was only just the beginning for the US players at grand slam level after his compatriot became the first American male to contest a major final since 2009.
Fritz has been leading the line for US tennis in recent years and, last week, proved he is worthy of the American number one spot.
There is no doubt that Fritz has the minerals to succeed at the top level and it feels as if this could be the moment that spurs him on to achieve greater feats in the sport.
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