For the first time since 2006 the US Open men's singles final will feature an American – will it be Fritz or Tiafoe?
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTA few of the favourites stumbled at the early steps, but what a blend of players and storylines for the remaining quartet in the men's singles draw.
There's a Box Office stars and stripes battle, with the country set to be glued to any screen possible. Then the world No.1 will want to reassert his dominance over the chasing pack, on the other hand it's a first time feeling for a British youngster.
He's the Australian Open champion, sits at the summit as world No.1, Jannik Sinner is the only one left in the draw to contest a Grand Slam final.
The 23-year-old has incrementally played with more conviction and zip this fortnight, without reaching anywhere near his top gear. Consequently, Sinner is quick to erase the 'favourite' tag from the media.
"Everyone, whoever is in quarters or semis or round of 16, deserves to be there. You know, no win is granted. You always have to find a solution against each opponent," stated the Italian. "I'm lucky that I played already with these kind of feelings, but let's see."
As for Jack Draper, the Brit has been full of swagger without dropping a set, playing with a sense of freedom following a couple of seasons spending large chunks of time on the sidelines as peers prospered.
"I'd say last year was a real turning point for me, when I had my injury setbacks and taking a lot of time off over the summer because of my shoulder injury," reflected the 22-year-old. "I had to sort of watch all these young, amazing players winning amazing tournaments. I just wasn't doing enough to get to that point myself.
"This is not kind of like an overnight thing for me. I've believed for a long time that I've been putting in the work and doing the right things, and I knew that my time would come."
🏆 Their 2024 tournament
Sinner is the master at applying pressure from the get go, which is exemplified by making 82 per cent of returns across the five rounds. His lethal forehand has 'only' yielded 61 winners, surely a higher rate will catapult off his racket if he's going to take the title. A 12 of 19 success rate at serve and volley indicates an area the top seed could keep Draper off guard.
1st round: victory against Mackenzie McDonald 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 (2hrs24mins)
2nd round: victory against Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 (1hr39mins)
3rd round: victory against Christopher O'Connell 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 (1hr53mins)
Round of 16: victory against Tommy Paul 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-1 (2hrs42mins)
Quarter-finals: victory against Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 (2hrs39mins)
Draper will need to hit his spots on serve with more than the current average of 54 per cent of first deliveries landing in. The left-hander certainly can't offer the the world No.1 a succession of second serves to attack. Saying that, Draper has held serve 60 times from 63 games and his overall resilience is demonstrated in fending off 25 of 28 break points. He's bold, he's brave. Just like Sinner, a strong 28 of 35 serve and volley points going in his favour signals an opportunity to keep the Italian guessing.
1st round: victory against Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, 6-0, 4-0 ret. (1hr6mins)
2nd round: victory against Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 (2hrs5mins)
3rd round: victory against Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 (2hrs14mins)
Round of 16: victory against Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 (1hr42mins)
Quarter-finals: victory against Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 (2hrs7mins)
🆚 Face-to-face
Their only previous tussle came on the luscious grass of Queen's Club in west London, where Draper prevailed 7-6(6), 7-6(2) three years ago for his first-ever ATP victory. Just a week or so later, as a wild card, Draper took the opening set off Novak Djokovic on Centre Court in the Wimbledon 2021 first round. Talk about potential and that is being fulfilled now in New York.
🎤 Heard in media
Jannik Sinner: "Yeah, we know each other quite well. It's going to be a tough match. He hasn't lost one set yet. He's playing great. He's serving great. He's hitting very, very strong. I'm looking forward to it, whenever we shake our hands, it's again friendship back and all is going to be good."
Jack Draper: "Jannik is a good friend, someone I'm definitely close to. We send each other messages in good moments, bad moments. It's a tough sport to play when you're a young guy. You're on the road, you're playing such a relentlessly intense sport, both physically, emotionally, and it's difficult, we haven't got many friends. So to have the support of someone who's going through it themselves is really big. So, yeah, huge respect for Jannik and was amazing to play doubles with him in Montreal.
"This is a privilege, and this is an honour to be in this position. This is why I work so hard, so I've got to just keep it going in my stride. At the end of the day, I'm not afraid of being in these positions. I want to keep on doing this, and this is why I play."
💪 The context / The current form
Every US Open the home contingent get the incessant questioning line surrounding 'the last American to win a Grand Slam.' Well, that’s almost over. Andy Roddick, the champion at Flushing Meadows 21 years ago, was the last American man in the US Open singles final in a 2006 defeat by a certain Roger Federer.
Over to childhood friends Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, who can rise to the occasion on Arthur Ashe Stadium?
"Yeah, me, Taylor, Tommy (Paul), Reilly (Opelka), we've spoken about it for years, this is the group, this is the group. You know, we openly speak about it," admitted Tiafoe. "I think we all been knocking on the door… It's only a matter of time. You put yourself in positions, it's only a matter of matter of time, and the game is open. It's not like it once was where you make quarter-finals, you play Rafa (Nadal), and you're looking at flights."
Fritz and Tiafoe have been in showstopping form this fortnight, but they’re acting and speaking as if the jobs not done.
🏆 Their 2024 tournament
As ever, Fritz sets the tone, dictates play off the platform of his piercing serve. The 26-year-old has struck 59 aces and landed 59 per cent of first serves. Off those first deliveries Fritz has won an imposing 83 per cent of points, helping to hold 77 of 82 attempts. Advantage Fritz if the service is firing. Also, Fritz is pretty canny up at the net, winning 77 of 108 points thus far.
1st round: victory against Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 (1hr51mins)
2nd round: victory against Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 7-6(1), 6-1 (2hrs9mins)
3rd round: victory against Franciso Comesana 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 (2hrs)
Round of 16: victory against Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 (2hrs43mins)
Quarter-finals: victory against Alexander Zverev 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3) (3hrs26mins)
Over to 'Big Foe', the 26-year-old has been concentrating on his focus during and between points, as well as being more assertive on return with his new coach David Witt – who joined the team just after Wimbledon.
Across the first five rounds Tiafoe has managed to retrieve 66 per cent of returns, rushing opponents by stepping in on second serve, winning 57 per cent of those points. The gregarious world No.20 will want to bolster his break point conversion rate, currently sitting at 23/65. Like Fritz, he's razor at net, winning 119 of 183 in the close quarters this US Open. Expect plenty of cat and mouse exchanges.
1st round: victory against Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 (3hrs16mins)
2nd round: victory against Alexander Shevchenko 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 ret. (1hr36mins)
3rd round: victory against Ben Shelton 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 (4hrs3mins)
Round of 16: victory against Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 (3hrs2mins)
Quarter-finals: victory against Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-1 ret. (3hrs4mins)
🆚 Face-to-face
Cast your minds back to Indian Wells 2016 and Tiafoe was hailed victor over three sets in their first clash. Since then, all on hard courts too, Fritz has raced 6-1 up in their head-to-head. Of course that gives Fritz an edge, on the other hand, Tiafoe is a different beast in New York, under the lights, competing on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
🎤 Heard in media
Taylor Fritz: "Foe, I mean that's going to be a lot of fun, and that's going to be just electric. Yeah, I think it's awesome for the fans to be guaranteed that one of us is going to be going to the finals," said the American No.1, relieved to break the Grand Slam quarter-final barrier. "I guess my three quarters before were Novak (Djokovic), Novak, and Rafa (Nadal). I think that was my way to just protect my ego. (Laughter).
"So then I got one where I played (Lorenzo) Musetti (at Wimbledon 2024) and he outplayed me and I lost. I think that's when I was, like, "Okay, maybe that excuse doesn't quite work out anymore (smiling)."
Frances Tiafoe: "It's different on Ashe, man. Obviously you have to learn from those. You know, couple of those I thought I actually should have won," said Tiafoe, referring to his 1-6 record taking on Fritz. "He's a tough player. He plays great from both sides, has a great serve, he's moving much better now.
"Yeah, man, he was funny, man, when we were younger. I think as we got closer to it, seeing how committed he is and how much he wanted it, once we all kind of turned pro, we all just pushed each other to want to be great. You know, sometimes unspoken; sometimes you speak about it. But nobody wants to leave each other behind. It's been a special thing to be a part of… it's going to be interesting, man. We'll see what happens."
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
