"If I'm being honest I expected it": Fritz not shocked at breakthrough of Americans, lauds Tiafoe and Paul

World number nine Taylor Fritz has predicted an American player to play in the semifinal of the US Open.

The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year is moving towards the business end as players continue to battle it out to secure the ultimate prize.

Fritz, who is still very alive in the contest, predicted that one of the American players will participate in the last-four and also heaped praise on fellow countrymen Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul.

“It feels really good, if I'm being honest. I expected it. I expected Frances and Tommy to move forward,” said Fritz while talking to the media. “Even yesterday, before everyone played today, I looked at the draw. This side of the draw is crazy. I looked at it for the first time, the whole thing.

“I was like, wow, one of these guys on their side, is for sure making it to the semi-finals. Not to put pressure on them, but that's just what I thought personally. I was like, I wonder who it's going to be, but one of them is going to be in the semis.”

Fritz is set to face Switzerland’s Dominic Stephan Stricker in the round of 16 clash of the US Open on Sunday.

On the other hand, Tiafoe will face Australia’s Rinky Hijikata whereas Paul will go up against Ben Shelton in the fourth-round fixtures.