Will Fritz shock Sinner in the US Open showdown?

Al Cameron September 7, 2024

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Will Fritz shock Sinner in the US Open showdown?

Today marks the final day of the US Open at Flushing Meadows, the last Grand Slam of the 2024 season. The question remains: who will reign supreme on the hallowed Arthur Ashe court, which, with a capacity of 23,771, is the largest purpose-built tennis stadium in the world?

In the men’s singles final, home favourite Taylor Fritz hopes the sell-out, partisan crowd will help push him to victory against the controversial Italian World No. 1, Jannik Sinner.

Sinner reached the final after a gruelling semi-final against British No. 1 Jack Draper. In a three-hour match, played out in the late New York summer evening humidity, the 22-year-old Draper proved to be a worthy opponent. He kept up with Sinner until the third and final set.

Both men struggled with the conditions, needing attention from the doctor in the second set. Sinner stumbled and fell awkwardly on his left hand, clearly in discomfort for the remainder of the match.

Sinner’s preparation for the tournament was far from ideal, with questions raised over his form after news broke of a failed drug test in March. Although he was cleared, the controversy may have been difficult to ignore.

On his way to the final, Sinner faced seeded players from the fourth round onwards, including Tommy Paul (7-6, 7-6, 6-1), Daniil Medvedev (6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4), and Jack Draper (7-5, 7-6, 6-2). Having already been crowned Australian Open champion earlier this year, by reaching the US Open final, he became the first man born in the 2000s to reach all four Grand Slam semi-finals.

Fritz, on the other hand, played a marathon five-set match against compatriot Frances Tiafoe to reach his first-ever Grand Slam final. The close friends have faced each other since their junior years.

In beating Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, Fritz became the first American man to reach the US Open final in 18 years. If he does the unthinkable and triumphs, he will be the first American man to win a Grand Slam title in 21 years. The New York crowd will no doubt be behind the 26-year-old Californian.

On his way to the final, Fritz confidently beat World No. 4 Alexander Zverev, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.

This will be the third meeting between Fritz and Sinner, with each winning one of their previous encounters, both at Indian Wells. While many expect Sinner to prevail based on current form, underdog Fritz will be dreaming of winning his first major title in front of the American faithful.

Gearing up for Epic US Open final? Get to Know Fitz and Sinner

Taylor Fritz was practically born into tennis in 1997, in Rancho Santa Fe, California, . His mother, Kathy May, was a top 10 player, and his father, Guy Fritz, a professional coach, ensuring tennis was in his blood. Picking up a racquet at a young age, Fritz quickly rose through the junior ranks, winning the US Open Boys’ title in 2015. His transition to the pro tour, however, came with its challenges—injuries and inconsistent results slowed his progress. But his big breakthrough came in 2022 when he won Indian Wells, signaling his arrival as a top contender. Now, in his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, Fritz is poised to potentially become the face of American men’s tennis.

Jannik Sinner, born on August 16, 2001, in San Candido, Italy, is making waves in the tennis scene. His parents, Johann and Siglinde, worked as a chef and a waitress at a ski lodge, helping him grow up in the beautiful, German-speaking region of South Tyrol. Initially a skiing prodigy, Jannik switched gears at 13 to chase his tennis dreams, moving to train at Riccardo Piatti’s academy. His family’s unwavering support helped him make that leap. With a chill demeanour and fierce determination, he quickly rose through the ranks, snagging ATP titles and hitting World No. 1. Now, as he steps onto the court for his first US Open final, Sinner is ready to show the world what he’s made of.