Taylor Fritz thinks his matchup with world no. 1 Jannik Sinner for the U.S. Open championship on Sunday will be less nerve-racking than his matchup with fellow American Frances Tiafoe since he will be the underdog.
In the semi-finals on Friday night, Fritz, the top-seeded American at world number 12, defeated Tiafoe 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 6-1, marking a significant milestone in the 21-year-old nation’s quest for a men’s Grand Slam champion.
Fritz, who made history by being the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, expressed his excitement about his opportunity for success.
It’s always been fun for me to play him (Sinner). Fritz told reporters, “To be honest, I don’t think I’m going to be put in a more stressful situation than I was today.”
“I don’t believe I was as stressed out today as I was during the final. I simply feel wonderful. I have a gut feeling that I’m going to play really well and prevail.”
After Sinner overcame an injured Jack Draper 7-5 7-6(3) 6-2, the match took place, with the two Americans bearing the weight of the nation’s hopes.
Before the game, Fritz, who had a 6-1 record against Tiafoe, declared, “We both want to be the guy to make it.”
The player stated, “I’m not going into this thinking I’m the favourite because everything’s totally different when you’re playing a match like this,” and mentioned that Tiafoe had demonstrated incredible tennis during the U.S. Open.
Fritz anticipated a tough test against a player who has since made his Grand Slam breakthrough by winning this year’s Australian Open. Fritz was defeated in three sets the previous time he faced Sinner, in the Indian Wells quarterfinals last year.
“He strikes, 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 of his ball,” Fritz said.
“I think I typically play well against him.”
