American star Taylor Fritz reached the semi-finals of the 2024 US Open with a 6-7(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) victory over world No. 4 Alexander Zverev. It is the first time in his career that Fritz has reached a semi-final at a major.
“It just felt different today,” Fritz said during his postgame interview. “I really felt like it was time to take it a step further. It’s only fitting that I do it here on this court at the US Open in front of this crowd.”
Their all-time series is now tied at 5-5. Zverev and Fritz gave us an epic five-set battle at Wimbledon earlier this year, and that's how play began on Tuesday. Fritz won the first set, but it took 56 minutes and a tiebreak, which he dominated 7:2.
Zverev recovered in the second set, but his backhand wasn't as clean as usual, and that helped Fritz win the next set. This gave the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd even more energy.
The fourth set was closely fought, with Fritz leading 6-5 until Zverev increased the tempo and forced the second tiebreak of the game. Fritz won the first two points, then Zverev got on the board with a 134 mph serve. Nerves were high, but Fritz finally made it.
This was Fritz's fourth win against a top-10 opponent at a major in 2024. This is the most win by an American since Andre Agassi in 1999.
It's been his most successful season to date and Fritz is keeping that momentum going while pursuing what he wants described it to CBS Sports as his “lifelong dream.” With 12th place, Fritz entered this tournament as the highest seeded man from the United States. No American has won a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick won the US Open trophy in 2003.
Ben Shelton reached the semifinals at Flushing Meadows last year, and Frances Tiafoe did it in 2022. Tiafoe could do it again this year if he gets past No. 9 seed Grigor Dimitrov later today. The winner of this game will face Fritz on Friday.
“I know the audience really wants to see me and Frances, so we’re getting an American in the finale,” Fritz said. “This could be crazy, so I guess we’ll just wait and see what happens. Either way, I’m ready to go.”
