Taylor Fritz stands on the brink of making history at the US Open. The 26-year-old has the chance to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick in 2003 if he triumphs in the final on Sunday. This victory would end a 21-year drought for American men in major tennis tournaments.
Fritz reached his first Grand Slam final after a grueling journey. He fought through five sets to defeat fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals. Earlier in the tournament, he also overcame seeded players Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud. Now, Fritz faces his biggest challenge yet: top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who is poised to claim the title.
Sinner has been a dominant force in 2024 and will compete in his second Grand Slam final. He clinched his first major title at the Australian Open in January and is unbeaten in five tour-level finals this year. The 23-year-old Italian secured his spot in the final by defeating 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev and British lefty Jack Draper in New York. Despite a scare when he injured his left wrist during his match against Draper, Sinner remains confident.
“The physio loosened it up very fast on court, so after I felt okay in the beginning. Then after it went away by playing, which is good,” Sinner said. “Let’s see how it is [Saturday] when it’s cold. It’s going to be a different feeling. Hopefully, it’s nothing to be concerned about. I’m quite relaxed because if it’s something bad, you feel it straightaway a bit more.”
Fritz has previously faced disappointment in the quarter-finals of major tournaments but is now brimming with confidence. As the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Roddick’s 2009 Wimbledon appearance, Fritz is eager to end the long wait for an American champion. He believes in his ability to challenge Sinner.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing him,” Fritz noted. “To be honest, I don’t think that I’m going to be put in a more stressful situation than I was today than playing in a final. I think today was much more stressful for me than playing the final. I just feel good,” Fritz said. “I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win. When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”
American Men US Open Champions (Since 1990):
| Champion | Year |
|---|---|
| Andy Roddick | 2003 |
| Pete Sampras | 2002 |
| Andre Agassi | 1999 |
| Pete Sampras | 1996 |
| Pete Sampras | 1995 |
| Andre Agassi | 1994 |
| Pete Sampras | 1993 |
| Pete Sampras | 1990 |
Fritz and Sinner are tied 1-1 in their previous encounters, both on hard courts in Indian Wells. As they prepare to face off in the 23,000-seater Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, Fritz will benefit from the support of the home crowd. Reflecting on the current state of American tennis, Fritz expressed optimism.
“I think it gives hope and shows that we’re knocking on the door of winning a Slam, and we have this generation, this group of guys where there’s four or five of us that are actually at this level,” Fritz said. “I mean, it shows that we’re all moving in the right direction. I think whenever one of us does something, the others follow, and the others get belief from it. I think this is just the start for all of us.”
On Sunday, all eyes will be on Fritz as he aims to capitalize on the momentum he’s built. To overcome Sinner, who excels at defending and hitting with depth, Fritz will need to serve effectively and remain aggressive from the baseline.
Sinner, who has been in impressive form this year, is currently leading the ATP Year-End No. 1 race. With a 54-5 record for the season, he is in a strong position to secure the top spot. Sinner’s aim is to become the first player since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win his first and second Grand Slam titles in the same season.
In addition to the men’s singles final, there are other exciting matchups at the US Open. In the women’s singles, Jessica Pegula will face Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Pegula is making her major final debut, while Sabalenka aims to defend her title from last year. The men’s doubles final will see Nikola Mektić and Mate Pavić, top seeds who won the French Open earlier this year, against third seeds Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.
The US Open is set to conclude with an exhilarating final weekend, with Fritz and Sinner battling for the top prize. Sinner will not participate in Italy’s Davis Cup Finals group stage in September, focusing instead on recovery after the US Open.
As the tournament wraps up, the spotlight will be on the final matches, with the winner set to claim glory and a share of the prize money.
FAQ About: Taylor Fritz vs. Jannik Sinner: US Open Final
The 2024 US Open men’s final will feature Taylor Fritz from the USA and Jannik Sinner from Italy.
Taylor Fritz aims to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick in 2003, ending a 21-year drought.
Fritz and Sinner are tied 1-1 in their previous matchups, both played on hard courts.
Jannik Sinner has been dominant in 2024, winning multiple titles, including his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
