By Tony Fairbairn

• Taylor Fritz [12] v Frances Tiafoe [20]

NEW YORK, USA – Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will battle to see which player will become the first male American in 15 years to reach a Grand Slam final on day 12 of the US Open.

Taylor Fritz [12] v Frances Tiafoe [20] | H2H: Fritz leads 6-1

After four defeats at the quarter-final stage of Grand Slams, Taylor Fritz is finally a Grand Slam semi-finalist after defeating Alexander Zverev in four sets. The 12^th seed’s improvement over the last couple of years has been significant and now he has been rewarded with a place in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam and now has a good chance of making the final on home soil. Standing in Fritz’s way is Frances Tiafoe with the American making his second Grand Slam semi-final with victory over Grigor Dimitrov.

H2H & Match Fundamentals

It’s a first Grand Slam semi-final for Fritz as he finally overcame his quarter-final curse in order to reap the rewards for his improved form over the last couple of years.

Now a big opportunity awaits Fritz as he aims to reach a Grand Slam final on home soil in what is set to be a historic night for American tennis.

The reason why it is so historic is because he will face compatriot Tiafoe in the last four as the 20^th seed is into his second US Open semi-final.

Tiafoe has continued his form from reaching the Cincinnati final and his improved returning has proved essential for Tiafoe now having the opportunity of a lifetime.

Speaking after his quarter-final win, Fritz claimed he was delighted to reach a Grand Slam semi-final and described his upcoming semi-final with Tiafoe as ‘electric.’

“I feel amazing. I’ve had a lot of looks at quarterfinals over the past couple of years. Today felt different,” Fritz told the US Open website.

“I really felt like it was my time to take it a step further, and it’s only fitting that I’m doing it here on this court at the Open in front of this crowd.

“I mean, if it’s Foe, that’s going to be a lot of fun, and that’s going to be just electric. Yeah, I think that would be awesome for the fans, as well, to be guaranteed that one of us is going to be going to the finals.”

Meanwhile Tiafoe praised Fritz’s mindset heading into the match as he described the contest as ‘epic.’

“He’s kind of had that mindset and he’s pushed me a lot, you know what I mean?” Tiafoe told the US Open website.

“I think we have kind of always pushed each other. Now I think it’s great that we get to compete against each other in such a big match, and I’m happy for him. I know he’s happy for me.

“It’s going to be a big one for both of us, playing for a [Grand Slam] final. I don’t think those [other seven] matches are anywhere near what this match would be, so it’s kind of tough to even go from there. Playing quarters of the Acapulco 500 and playing semis in Arthur Ashe at nightㅡwell, hopefully at nightㅡit’s a little different.

“Let the best man win come Friday. It’s going to be epic. Popcorn, do what you got to do. It’s going to be a fun one.”

Fritz will use the forehand to push Tiafoe behind the baseline as the 12^th seed will need to be clinical on return in order to have a chance.

Meanwhile Tiafoe will continue to put pressure on return as he will use the backhand to create space on the court and find effective winners from all areas of the court.

This should be an entertaining late night match with both players looking to become the first male American to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick in 2009.

Although Fritz’s head-to-head record against Tiafoe starts him as favourite, Tiafoe’s experience in night matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium could prove pivotal here.

Prediction: Tiafoe in five sets.  

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