"We're both playing to be the American to make it to the final" - Taylor Fritz on facing Frances Tiafoe in the US Open semifinals -

There has been a lack of male American tennis players at a Grand Slam final in almost 20 years, therefore it came as no surprise that American Taylor Fritz was under a lot of pressure when he faced compatriot Frances Tiafoe for the coveted spot at the 2024 US Open.

Former World No.1 Andy Roddick was the last American man to reach a Major final, when he finished runner-up to Roger Federer at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships. With both Fritz and Tiafoe facing each other at semifinal stage at this year's Flushing Meadows, one of them would have his name etched in American tennis history.

The All-American affair saw both men leave it all on the court, with Fritz prevailing in a marathon five set match. The former Indian Wells champion would advance to his maiden Grand Slam final, and would later reveal it was one of his favorite yet stressful moments due to the high stakes involved.

"I'd say the biggest moment, like that feelgood moment was winning the semifinal match, and just it being over because that was genuinely one of the most stressful matches I've ever played, like, going into it," said the World No.7 in an appearance on the Nothing Major podcast. "You also had to sit on it for two days after a quarterfinal match and I'm like, 'Oh, man! I'm playing Frances to make it to the finals'. Both of us are going to be so tight, like, we're both playing to be like the American to make it to the finals."