Just providing a finalist is an impressive achievement for American men’s tennis, considering how long it’s been since the last one. The United States have arguably been one of the main victims of the Roger Federer-Rafa Nadal-Novak Djokovic era of domination.

Andy Roddick the USA’s last great Grand Slam hope

Andy Roddick’s appearance in the epic 2009 Wimbledon final, which he lost to Roger Federer, is the most recent of any American male in a Grand Slam, a fact that will have to be updated following the Fritz-Tiafoe semifinal.

At the US Open, Roddick is also the most recent American man to reach the final. In 2006, he was again beaten by Federer, taking the second set to level the match but losing fairly convincingly to the Swiss in four.

And Roddick completes the hat-trick as the most recent American male winner of both a Grand Slam and the US Open. The Nebraska native won his only major title at the 2003 event, beating Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain in straight sets in the final.

Intriguingly, two American men were crowned Grand Slam champions that year, with Andre Agassi winning the last of his eight Slams at the Australian Open at the start of 2003.

23 American women’s Grand Slams since the last men’s

Of course, American women have been considerably more successful than their male counterparts in recent times.

Since Roddick’s US Open triumph, Serena Williams alone has won 17 Grand Slams, while Venus Williams (3), Sloane Stephens, Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff have also won major titles.

Jessica Pegula could add her name to the list this year, with the 30-year-old sixth side to face second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the women’s final on Saturday (September 8, 4pm ET).