Taylor Fritz has reached the US Open final for the first time during his career by beating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a five-set classic at Flushing Meadows.
Fritz had never even reached the last four of a Grand Slam prior to this one and now he’s about to take his place in a final for the very first time.
Tiafoe was two sets to one in front and he admitted that his nerves got the best of him. Fritz capitalised though and will now face world number one Jannik Sinner in the final.
The world number 12 will now be on the move up the rankings. However, winning his maiden Grand Slam title could really kick-start the player’s career and see him claim more big titles.
Taylor Fritz shares what his coach kept telling him during US Open semi-final
Fritz was forced to come from behind to win this win. He trailed two sets to one against his compatriot and he had to really dig deep.
The 26-year-old has admitted afterwards that he was struggling a little bit out there until his coach intervened.
He’s now shared what the conversation was between him and his box as the match progressed at Flushing Meadows.
He said in his press conference which was aired on YouTube: “I think a big thing is a lot of these points being played I felt like I wasn’t really doing anything wrong I was just getting overwhelmed.
“I was freaking out a bit and he told me to keep doing what I was doing and kind of accepted that’s okay and keep making him do it. It calmed me down and reaffirmed I was doing the right thing.”
Fritz can now go all the way and win US Open crown
Beating the man who is running away at the top of the world rankings won’t come easily. However, Fritz might be able to seize the moment and tick off his first Grand Slam crown.
It’s been a solid year for Fritz. He won a bronze medal alongside Tommy Paul at the Olympics and has overcome Alexander Zverev at the final two Grand Slams of the year.
Fritz is a big-serving American and he will now fancy emulating Andy Roddick and winning the US Open much like he did back in 2003.
It’s good that he clearly has a strong rapport with his coach. By the sounds of it, he has to take a good chunk of credit for Fritz turning things around against Tiafoe and coming out on top.
Fritz is a very likeable player on the tour and not having to face Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic might give him a big incentive to overcome Sinner on Sunday.
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