Fritz fights off Tiafoe in five sets to reach maiden grand slam final

Taylor Fritz overcame close friend and fellow American Frances Tiafoe to advance to his first-ever major final at the US Open on Friday night.

The 26-year-old and 12th seed who is an eight tour titlist defeated his countryman in five sets 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“It’s the reason I do what I do, the reason why I work so hard. I’m in the finals of the US Open,” Fritz said as he teared up. “It’s a dream come true and I’m going to give it everything I possibly have. I know that for a fact.”

“He was overwhelming from the baseline so much, taking the ball so early, changing lines so well,” Fritz said of Tiafoe’s aggressive approach. “I just told myself to try to stay in it, fight to hold my serve and apply scoreboard pressure as much as possible.”

“I told myself if I didn’t give it absolutely everything I had and stick with it and see if his level might drop a little bit, I would regret it for a long time.”

Fritz, who is the first American male to make a major singles final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, hope to see the United States’ 21-year-wait for a male Grand Slam singles title when he will face top seed Jannik Sinner on Sunday.

The march between Fritz and Tiafoe was the first all-American men’s singles semi-final at a major since Andre Agassi beat Robby Ginepri at the US Open in 2003.