The 2024 US Open men’s and women’s singles tournaments have produced some surprises at the end, with new names making deep runs to get to the semifinals. In the women’s draw, Jessica Pegula, making her first Grand Slam final appearance, will take on Aryna Sabalekena for the title on Saturday, and the men’s tournament will have an American player also making their first major final.
Taylor Fritz wins All-American semifinal
Taylor Fritz won a five-set endurance match over Frances Tiafoe in the first US Open semifinal between American players since 2005.
After a match that went back and forth, with both players trading serves and long rallies throughout, Fritz finally broke Tiafoe’s serve to win the fourth set. And it appeared as if he ultimately wore Tiafoe down, winning the fifth set in decisive fashion.
Fritz finished 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 to advance to the US Open and will face Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final.
Tiafoe shook off early jitters that resulted in several mistakes against Fritz. However, he calmed down and began asserting himself with powerful forehands and extended rallies that sent Fritz all over the court to defend. Eventually, Tiafoe rallied to win a first set that initially look lost.
The second set was much more of a back-and-forth affair, with neither player able to break the other’s serve. Fritz, in particular, had more difficulty returning Tiafoe’s serve.
But Fritz eventually recovered and wore Tiafoe down, sending him side to side across the court and showing a strong forehand. Though Tiafoe forced the set to 5-5, Fritz won nine of 10 points to prevent a tiebreaker and win the second set.
In the third set, Fritz attempted to change up his approach by playing more aggressively at the net rather than staying back. Yet he couldn’t break Tiafoe’s serve, often getting jammed when trying to return. As Fritz tried to stand his ground, Tiafoe countered with cross-court forehands that couldn’t be caught.
However, Fritz came right back and held to begin the fourth set. Abandoning play at the net, he took the game to Tiafoe with powerful serves and long rallies. But as Fritz went ahead, Tiafoe rallied to even the set. Fritz finally forced a fifth set by breaking Tiafoe’s serve.
Jannik Sinner beats New York heat, Jack Draper in straight sets
The men’s semfinals on Friday began with No. 1 Jannik Sinner beating No. 25 Jack Draper in straight sets 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2, but it was by no means as easy as the score implies.
The match was played in scorching New York City heat, with both players fighting off fatigue. Draper had the worst of it, sweating through his first two shirts and appearing to vomit twice during a grueling second set. That set wound up lasting an hour and 29 minutes, the second-longest of the entire tournament.
Not helping was the fact that both men played their quarterfinal matches just a day earlier.
Sinner displayed the form you’d expect from a top seed, even after appearing to hurt his wrist during the second set. His serve was fantastic, winning 76% of points off it, and he won more than his share of entertaining points against the 22-year-old Draper.
Sinner advances to his first US Open final, having already won his first Grand Slam this year at the Australian Open. He figures to be favored on Sunday against Fritz, the first American in the final since 2006 and the first to advance to a Grand Slam final since 2009.
Here’s how Friday’s action went down at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the 2024 US Open.
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Taylor Fritz defeats Frances Tiafoe, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
After Fritz broke Tiafoe to win the fourth set, Tiafoe didn’t appear to have much left for the fifth. He looked tired and frustrated while Fritz appeared to gain strength and confidence.
Fritz will face Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final, scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.
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Tiafoe gets a much needed break
With the crowd trying to lift him, Tiafoe fights back to break Fritz’s serve and finally win a game. Fritz has been rolling so it may not be enough. But it’s a break and might give Tiafoe the refresher he needs to climb back into a set that he looked like he would lose badly.
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Fritz now up 4-0
Tiafoe isn’t serving as well in this fifth set and Fritz is capitalizing. He looks like he’s trying to gain back some control, but Fritz isn’t yielding. And Tiafoe is showing his frustration, throwing his racket toward his seat.
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Fritz controlling pace now
Taylor Fritz might finally be taking control of this match in the fifth set. He began by holding serve, then broke Frances Tiafoe to go up 2-0.
Tiafoe looks as if he’s getting tired – which would be understandable – as Fritz is setting the pace and moving him all over the court.
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Tiafoe-Fritz going to a fifth set
Fritz breaks Tiafoe’s serve and this match is going to a fifth set. Fritz wins the fourth, 6-4.
This one seemed destined for five sets from the start and it is not disappointing.
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Fritz goes up 5-4
Fritz has seemingly abandoned trying to play the net as hard, trying instead to force the action at Tiafoe with hard drives from the baseline. It appears to be working as he goes up 5-4 in the set with Tiafoe now serving.
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How even has this match been?
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Fritz toughing it out
This is a different kind of endurance match than the earlier semifinal when humidity bogged Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper down. Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz are going toe to toe,
Fritz, however, goes in front 4-3 after Tiafoe pushed back to make it 3-3. This match is beginning to look like it’s headed toward a fifth set.
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Fritz takes 2-1 lead
Fritz once again held serve, matching Tiafoe on nearly every return. He’s not going away in this fourth set, nor should Tiafoe expect him to.
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Fritz holds to begin fourth set
Fritz isn’t backing down to begin the fourth set. He’s won four points with his first four serves. That might be how he regains control of the match from Tiafoe.
The two had one of the best exchanges of the match, going back and forth on several returns before Fritz finally won the point for a 2-1 lead.
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Tiafoe wins third set, 6-4
Fritz holds serve to get within 5-4. But Tiafoe wins set point, again backing Fritz up with his serve.
Whether he’s tiring out or just can’t regain control of the pace, Tiafoe appears to be gaining control of the match as it heads to the fourth set.
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Fritz can’t break Tiafoe’s serve
Tiafoe’s serve is frequently jamming Fritz up so he can’t return it. Fritz hasn’t been able to catch up to Tiafoe’s cross-court forehand either. Tiafoe takes a 5-3 lead as Fritz goes to serve.
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Fritz playing net more in third set
Rather than staying back as he did, especially in the first set, Fritz is playing the net more aggressively in the third set. Yet he’s playing more defense as Tiafoe holds serve and takes a 3-1 lead.
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Tiafoe breaks Fritz to begin third set
Tiafoe could not break Fritz’s serve during the second set, but begins the third set by doing just that.
Just when it looks like one player might be gaining an advantage, the other recovers. Truly a back and forth battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium thus far.
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Fritz takes second set, 7-5
Fritz’s game at the net is holding off Tiafoe’s returns. He won nine of 10 points, preventing Tiafoe from getting a tiebreaker and taking the second set, 7-5.
This match is even heading to a third set.
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Fritz can’t put away match point
With Fritz serving for match point, Tiafoe finds another gear to cross the court repeatedly for returns and won two points to tie the set at 5-5.
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Fritz has Tiafoe running
This time, it’s Fritz who has Tiafoe running back and forth on the court trying to keep up with his return and a blistering forehand. Tiafoe nearly goes into the stands attempting to catch up to a volley and Fritz capitalizes.
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Fritz holds serve
Fritz may have taken control of the set, holding serve for a 5-4 lead. But it’s been a back and forth match thus far. The way it’s been going, Tiafoe could tie it up on his next serve.
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Tiafoe’s backhand looking lethal
Tiafoe wins the point to even the set at 4-4. His backhand has been particularly strong, scorching the ball cross-court out of Fritz’s reach.
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Neither player yielding on serve
Are we heading toward a five-set match? It’s beginning to look that way as both Fritz and Tiafoe are holding serve. Possible tiebreak coming up as Fritz leads 4-3. Tiafoe to serve.
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Both players controlling serve
Fritz is having difficulty returning Tiafoe’s serve. When he does recover, he’s not in position to get to Tiafoe’s shots. Tiafoe drops a short shot at the net as Fritz is backed up far, hoping to handle Tiafoe’s return.
However, Fritz is nearly as efficient with his serve and has a 3-2 lead as Tiafoe goes to serve.
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Fritz composes himself to begin second set
Fritz held serve to begin the second set, getting four of five to win the first game. He appears to have righted himself after letting the first set get away from him. He takes 2-1 lead as Tiafoe is set to serve.
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Tiafoe wins match point, first set 6-4
Tiafoe wins the final two points of the set and completed an impressive rally. His forehand is putting Fritz back on his feet, making it difficult to recover for the next return.
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Tiafoe up 5-3
Did we say Tiafoe was off to a shaky start? That now seems like a long time ago. He’s taken control of this first set, pushing Fritz back with his forehand, sending him back and forth with returns and playing out extending rallies. He’s won five straight points.
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Fritz again having trouble with footing
It’s not affecting both players, but Fritz again lost his footing and slid to the court. More likely because Tiafoe is sending Fritz from side to side on his returns. Perhaps the humidity is a factor there. Yet Tiafoe does not appear to be having the same issue.
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Tiafoe wins break point
Tiafoe goes up 4-3 after one of the best exchanges of the match so far with Fritz. Neither player is overpowering, but Tiafoe is warmed up now, hitting a ball just out of Fritz’s reach at the left baseline to win break point.
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Slip, but no injury
Fritz lost his footing, sliding to the court while defending the net. He braced himself with his left wrist, but didn’t hurt himself as Jannik Sinner did in the earlier men’s semifinal.
Tiafoe won his serve, however, evening the set at 3-3. Fritz now to serve.
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Drop shot hits the net for Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe looked as if he might catch Taylor Fritz off guard with a drop shot after driving him back with powerful forehands. But the shot hit the net, giving an opening to Fritz
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Tiafoe’s defense has him back in it
Tiafoe is getting more comfortable as the set goes on. He broke Fritz’s serve to make it 3-2. The crowd comes to life as Tiafoe looks like he’s finally ready.
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Tiafoe calming down
If Tiafoe was fighting nerves, he appears to have gotten through that on his second serve and won a break over Fritz. Now 3
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Tiafoe off to shaky start
Fritz is controlling the match early on, up 3-0. Tiafoe making mistakes on returns, playing a bit nervously. Meanwhile, Fritz appears calm. Yes, it’s early but Tiafoe hasn’t started well.
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Fritz breaks Tiafoe’s serve to go up 2-0. Tiafoe could not return Fritz’s volley at the net.
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Taylor Fritz wins first game
Frances Tiafoe had some trouble with Taylor Fritz’s serve, which seemed to get stronger – reaching 135 mph on one. Fritz goes up 1-0 with Tiafoe next to serve.
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Jannik Sinner still icing left wrist
Jannik Sinner was shown on TV still icing his left wrist, which he hurt in Friday’s semifinal victory over Jack Draper.
Sinner told reporters that he’ll wait to see what happens during Saturday’s off-day. But he seemed confident that the wrist would be fine by Sunday, pointing out that it felt beter while he played.
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Frances Tiafoe wearing Carmelo Anthony Knicks jersey during practice
Will the power of ‘Melo inspire Frances Tiafoe to the US Open final?
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Tiafoe-Fritz first semifinal between two Americans since 2005
Friday night’s semifinal match between No. 20 Frances Tiafoe and No. 12Taylor Fritz is the first between two American players since 2005. (Andre Agassi faced Robby Ginepri that year.)
It also ensures that an American will play in the US Open final for the first time since 2006. An American men’s player hasn’t been in a Grand Slam final since Wimbledon in 2009. (The answer to both questions is Andy Roddick.)
The winner will face Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s men’s final.
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Jannik Sinner beats Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2
It wasn’t as easy as the score implies, but Jannik Sinner takes the match in straight sets and will face either Frances Tiafoe or Taylor Fritz in the final. The heat was intense, Draper had his moments and that wrist injury was concerning, but Sinner’s form held and he’s one match away from winning a tournament that has been full of surprises.
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Sinner consolidates the break and Draper has now won a total of two points in Sinner’s four service games so far this set. Not a recipe for success.
One game left for Sinner to reach the final.
Sinner 7 7(7) 5
Draper 5 6(3) 2
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Sinner gets the break, and this is very close to over. Draper has his hands on his knees and seems to just be trying to avoid an early retirement.
Sinner 7 7(7) 4
Draper 5 6(3) 2
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Sinner holds serve without any trouble. With how he’s performed in tiebreaks (winning 15 of his last 16), Draper is really, really going to need a break soon if he wants a chance at a comeback.
Sinner 7 7(7) 3
Draper 5 6(3) 2
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