MATCH REPORT | 2024 US Open: Superlative Taylor Fritz delivers best performance to reach first Grand Slam semi-final

Taylor Fritz achieves a massive victory over Alexander Zverev with a score of 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(3), reaching the US Open semifinals. The American No. 1 remained steady on serve and had an outstanding performance with his backhand to defeat the 4th seed.

Fritz manages to tie the head-to-head against Zverev at 5-5, with a 2-2 record in Grand Slam main draws. The world No. 12 reaches the semifinals of a Grand Slam for the first time after four failed attempts in major quarterfinals.

This match had a special flavor, following their tight encounter at Wimbledon, where Fritz (No. 12) came back from two sets down to secure the victory and advance to the quarterfinals. After the match, Fritz's girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, left a subtle dig at Zverev, supposedly alluding to the domestic violence allegations against the German: “when your man wins for the girls,” she captioned an Instagram video.

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As they have shown throughout the tournament, both players excelled in their service games. The match started quickly with both securing their serves with relative ease in short points. Fritz was more effective with his first serve, winning 88% of them compared to Zverev’s 70%.

The German had to save several break points against him. In the 12th game, he faced three set points on his serve after being 0-40, but four consecutive first serves allowed him to save the delicate moment and take the set to a tie-break, though he was annoyed by several unforced errors.

The German asked for the stringer and appeared dissatisfied with the tension of his racket strings, gesturing to his box about the lack of control he showed when hitting the ball. Zverev’s unforced errors and Fritz's powerful forehands ultimately gave the set to the American 7-6(2).

‘Sascha’ displayed his experience and raised his level in the second set. Both players again held their serves easily during the first half of the set. Zverev positioned himself better from the baseline and set the pace when Fritz showed doubts. The German broke in the 8th game and took the set 6-3.

Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev at 2024 Wimbledon.

The local player regained his early confidence in the third set. Zverev’s backhand is one of the most consistent and effective on the Tour, but Fritz managed to compete on equal terms in the cross-court exchanges. Fritz once again had a couple of break opportunities, and despite Zverev’s good first serves, the American was remarkable in return and finally got his first break of the match, advancing to 3-0.

Although ‘Sascha’ broke back a little later, he wavered in the final part of the set. He was again down 0-40 and saved four set points on his serve, but Fritz eventually broke to advance 6-4, putting himself in a good position to close the match.

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The world No. 4 was frustrated at times. Fritz maintained his level and had a couple of break opportunities in the 6th game, though he couldn’t convert them. Both easily won their service games and took the set to a tie-break, where the American No. 1 needed two mini-breaks to win the match 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(3).

Fritz joins his compatriot Emma Navarro, who also reached the semifinals in the women’s draw. In the night session, Frances Tiafoe will seek to join them as the third local semifinalist when he faces Grigor Dimitrov. If Big-Foe wins, it will set up an All-American semifinal, ensuring an American presence in the US Open men’s final for the first time since 2006, when Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer.

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LAND OF THE FRITZ 🗽🇺🇸 @Taylor_Fritz97 defeats Zverev for a maiden Grand Slam semi-final on home soil!

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