Taylor Fritz will be a “very solid” test for Jannik Sinner in the US Open final, as the world No.1 gave his assessment of the American star ahead of Sunday
Taylor Fritz will face Jannik Sinner in the final of the US Open on Sunday after winning an all-American classic against Frances Tiafoe. Fritz, the top-seeded American, was behind for the entire match before staging a comeback and winning in five sets, and Sinner was already wary of the challenge that awaits.
Sinner was tested by British No.1 Jack Draper in his semifinal, but managed to win in straight sets as his opponent vomited three times on the court. Draper later revealed that he was dealing with extreme nerves and admitted he was an anxious person, but the 22-year-old still gave everything in his first Grand Slam semifinal.
That left Sinner awaiting the result of the other semifinal, but ahead of Fritz’ match against Tiafoe he commented on both American stars. When asked what he thinks of Fritz, Sinner said: “Well, big serve. Very solid player from the back of the court.
“He can hit strong. He can hit with rotation. He can mix up the game very well. He has played a lot this year, so, you know, he has a lot of rhythm for the match.”
To cover all outcomes, Sinner also gave his thoughts on the prospect of facing Tiafoe, an opponent he’s met more recently. “Yeah, if he wins or if wins Frances, whoever is going to be in the final, they deserve to be in the final,” Sinner added.
“I’m just looking forward to Sunday, and then we see how it goes.” Sinner has only dropped two sets throughout the US Open, doing so in the first round and at the quarterfinal stage.
The lack of extra time Sinner has spent on the court will give him even more of an edge on Sunday, especially after Fritz needed five sets to beat Tiafoe. It was the first time this tournament that Fritz had gone the full five sets, but he did need four in the previous two rounds against Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.
Sinner is the favourite to win his second Grand Slam of 2024, in what has been a dominant year for the Italian. He was named world No.1 for the first time in June, but his success has been marred by a doping scandal which followed him into the US Open.
Despite Sinner’s status, Fritz will have the home crowd cheering him on as he looks to become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win the US Open. It’s been a strong year for the American men, as Fritz, Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul all reached the last eight.
Jessica Pegula has also reached her first Grand Slam final and could make it a double success for America. The no.6 seed faces no.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the women’s singles on Saturday.
