NEW DELHI: Taylor Fritz has the opportunity to break a two-decade drought for American men’s tennis when he faces world number one Jannik Sinner in the US Open final on Sunday.
The 26-year-old believes his current form is “good enough to win” and end the 21-year wait for a male Grand Slam champion from the United States, with Andy Roddick being the last to achieve the feat at the US Open in 2003.
Fritz’s confidence is high, and he feels that his five-set semi-final victory over fellow American Frances Tiafoe on Friday, a match in which he was outplayed for significant periods, was a tougher test than the upcoming clash with Sinner.
“I don’t think that I’m going be put in a more stressful situation than I was against Frances,” said Fritz, as quoted by AFP, the first American man in a Slam final since Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
“I just feel good. I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win. When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”
Fritz, currently ranked 12th in the world, has taken full advantage of the unexpected early departures of Novak Djokovic, a four-time US Open champion, and Carlos Alcaraz, the 2022 winner. Their absence has created a significant opportunity for the remaining players in the tournament.
Fritz secured his place in the semifinals by defeating Alexander Zverev, the fourth-ranked player and 2020 runner-up, in the quarter-finals. Prior to that, he overcame Casper Ruud, the eighth seed and 2022 finalist, in the round of 16.
His upcoming opponent, Jannik Sinner, has made history by becoming the first Italian man to reach the US Open final. Fritz and Sinner have faced each other twice before, with their head-to-head record standing at 1-1.
Fritz won their first meeting on the hard courts of Indian Wells in 2021 with Sinner gaining revenge at the same California desert venue two years later.
“I’ve always played well against Jannik. He hits the ball big. He’s like a very strong ball striker, but I feel like I always hit the ball really nice off his ball,” explained the American, who had never got past the quarter-finals of a major before this US Open.
Sinner claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and, despite controversy surrounding two failed drugs tests, has advanced to his second Slam final of 2024.
He boasts a flawless record in finals this year, winning all five, with titles in Rotterdam, Halle, Miami, and Cincinnati, alongside his Melbourne victory.
Sinner wrist worry
At 23 years old, he has accumulated 54 wins and only five losses this season. He is excited about not only facing Fritz but also performing before a lively crowd of 23,000 at the vast Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Being in America for sure, the crowd will be a little bit more on his side,” said Sinner.
“But it’s normal. It’s like when I play in Italy, so I’m going to accept that.
“I have my team and my people who are close to me. In my mind, I know that there are many people watching from home from Italy, and it’s just take some support from them.”
One concern for the Italian is the condition of his left wrist, which he injured while breaking a fall during his semi-final win against Britain’s Jack Draper.
Sinner needed a medical timeout to address the injury but quickly reassured that it won’t be a problem on Sunday.
“The physio loosened it up very fast on court and it went away by playing, which is good,” explained Sinner.
“Let’s see how it is tomorrow when it’s cold. It’s going to be a different feeling. Hopefully it’s nothing to be concerned about. I’m quite relaxed, because if it’s something bad, you feel it straightaway a bit more.”
Win or lose on Sunday, Fritz believes American men’s tennis is on the brink of a new golden age as the country boasts five players in the top 20.
“I think it gives hope and shows that we’re knocking on the door of winning a Slam,” Fritz said.
“We’re all moving in the right direction. I think that whenever one of us does something, the others follow, and the others get belief from it. I think this is just the start for all of us.”