Taylor Fritz made history by becoming the first American man in 15 years to reach a Grand Slam singles final, defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a five-set thriller at the US Open. Fritz, 26, rallied from behind to secure a 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory under the lights in New York, marking a significant achievement as no American man has won a major singles title since Andy Roddick’s US Open win in 2003. Roddick was also the last American man to reach a Grand Slam final, appearing at Wimbledon in 2009 and the US Open in 2006.

Fritz, seeded 12th, will now face world number one Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final at Flushing Meadows. Prior to this tournament, Fritz had never progressed past the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam in four attempts. Reflecting on his victory, Fritz said, “He [Tiafoe] overwhelmed me at the start, and I was freaking out a little. I did all I could to stay in it. If I hadn’t done that, I’d regret it forever.”

This marks Tiafoe’s second consecutive semi-final loss at the US Open, having been defeated by eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in 2022. The tournament also holds potential for an American champion in the women’s singles, as Jessica Pegula is set to face Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in Saturday’s final.