Frances Tiafoe’s victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the US Open quarterfinal on Tuesday has guaranteed an American in the men’s final for the first time in 18 years. The 20th-seed will face compatriot Taylor Fritz in the semifinal on Friday, after Fritz defeated fourth-seed Alexander Zverev in a hard-fought battle 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe advanced to the semifinal after Dimitrov suffered a leg injury in the third set, forcing him to retire.
After overcoming Alexei Popyrin, the 28th seed, Frances Tiafoe advanced to the US Open quarterfinals for the third time in an otherwise unsuccessful year. This is a nice run of success considering that the American’s only previous Grand Slam quarterfinal participation came at the 2019 Australian Open.
His victory over the ninth-seed Grigor Dimitrov pushes him one step closer to winning the US Open, a tournament he has sworn to win.
How historic is the semifinal between Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz? For context, Andy Roddick was the last American man to win a Grand Slam, when he won the 2003 US Open. Additionally, Roddick was the last American to make a US Open final in 2006, where he lost to Roger Federer.
Moreover, Tiafoe versus Fritz will be the first all-American men’s singles final-four US Open match since Andre Agassi and Robby Ginepri in 2005, which Agassi won.
After his quarterfinal victory, Tiafoe expressed his excitement at advancing to the next round, despite how it happened.
“I didn’t want to end it like that, for me or the crowd. But Friday is going to be one hell of a day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fritz looks to avenge his previous four losses at the quarterfinal of a major tournament.
By: Mustapha Hadji Dean – Ahotor Sports Desk
