The 2024 US Open is wanting a lot completely different than a lot of the current Grand Slams, and Frances Tiafoe is loving each minute of it. No American man has gained a serious title in 21 years, however Tiafoe thinks this match is an indication issues might be altering quickly.
“That is the group,” he mentioned after advancing to the semifinals. “We overtly talk about it. I believe we have all been knocking on doorways.”
That is Tiafoe’s second US Open semifinal in three years. He takes on Taylor Fritz on Friday, which is able to mark the primary time two People meet in a serious semifinal since Robby Ginepri and Andre Agassi on the 2005 US Open.
Fritz had by no means gotten previous a quarterfinal earlier than, however he entered this match because the top-seeded American at No. 12. In the meantime, Tiafoe entered as No. 20 and had a whole lot of momentum after reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 closing in Cincinnati a month prior.
They’re the one ones left standing, however there have been different American males who regarded able to additionally making a deep run. No. 13 Ben Shelton gave Tiafoe an intense five-set battle within the third spherical, whereas No. 14 Tommy Paul compelled two tiebreaks in opposition to No. 1 Jannik Sinner within the spherical of 16.
Regardless of the results of Friday’s match, both Tiafoe or Fritz will change into the primary American man to achieve a serious closing since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.
“Taylor’s been out and in of the highest 10, high 15. Myself, I used to be high 10 presently final yr,” Tiafoe mentioned. “And Tommy’s knocking on the door, quarters enjoying nice. Ben’s zoned in. It is solely a matter of time. You set your self in positions, it is solely a matter of time. The sport is open. It isn’t prefer it as soon as was the place you make quarterfinals, you play Rafa [Nadal], and also you’re flights.”
Tiafoe shouldn’t be fallacious. This calendar yr would be the first time since 2002 that not one of the Massive 3 of tennis — Rafael Nadal, Rodger Federer and Novak Djokovic — win a Grand Slam. Djokovic, who gained the gold medal within the 2024 Paris Olympics, was upset by Alexei Popyrin within the third spherical.
Whereas making it this far is clearly an enormous accomplishment, successful the entire thing continues to be the boogeyman on the courtroom. No American man has gained a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick on the 2003 US Open. The previous world No. 1 himself will probably be cheering on whoever makes it to the title match.
“I’d love nothing greater than for an American to win on Sunday,” he mentioned throughout the Served with Andy Roddick podcast. “That might simply fill my cup up. It isn’t unburdening me. I hate it.
“I get this anxious feeling each time they should reply for it. I f—ing hate it for them. I would like them to have it. I would like them within the clear. And albeit talking, if considered one of them breaks this factor, they may all begin contending often. Like, the dam breaks after which it goes. They do not should play in opposition to ghosts. I hope it occurs, we’ll see.”
