The stage is set for the men’s final at the 2024 US Open in New York. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will look to bookend his stellar 2024 with a second Grand Slam title. But in his way is the No. 1-ranked American Taylor Fritz.
12) Taylor Fritz (UTR Rating 16.05) vs 1) Jannik Sinner (UTR Rating 16.30)
It may come as a surprise that the head-to-head between them is even at one win apiece but this match is significantly different than their previous matches.
Both of those matches took place at the BNP Paribas Open, with Fritz winning their first meeting in the fourth round of 2021, and Sinner winning their next meeting in the 2023 quarterfinals as Fritz aimed to defend his title from the previous year.
This meeting will be their first in a best-of-five Grand Slam format and their first meeting since Sinner’s recent form that has placed himself atop the ATP rankings.
UTR Sports INSIGHTS has Sinner favored with a 65% win probability to Fritz’s 35%.
How Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz reached the US Open final 👇 pic.twitter.com/H0f3uIOAVl
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024
Fritz Wins the All-American SF Showdown
Fritz battled with friend and countryman Frances Tiafoe (UTR 15.78), in a five-set thriller under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, winning 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
The turning point of the match came late in the fourth set, when the crowd was rallying around the idea of a five-setter, and Fritz broke Tiafoe’s serve at 5-4 to force the fifth set.
There was no looking back from there as Tiafoe struggled to match Fritz’s energy in the deciding set.
In an emotional post-match interview, when asked what it means to him to be in the US Open final, Fritz said, “It’s the reason why I do what I do, it’s the reason why I work so hard.”
He went on to say, “It’s a dream come true. I’m in the final so I’m going to come out and give everything I can possibly give.”
One Final match. pic.twitter.com/lRYl4E1LlB
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024
Fritz is the first American man in the US Open men's singles final since Andy Roddick played Roger Federer in 2006.
If Fritz can beat Sinner, he would be the first American to win a Grand Slam men's singles title since Roddick won the US Open in 2003.
Sinner Sweeps SF in Straight Sets
Sinner earned a spot in his second major final by beating his close friend and first time Grand Slam semifinalist Jack Draper (UTR 15.87).
Although the match was a straight-sets victory, it was only 15 minutes shorter than the time on court for Fritz and Tiafoe’s match at just over three hours.
Draper, battling the heat and the physical intensity of the match, was able to keep the scoreline close but Sinner ultimately won 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-2.
In the press conference after the match, Draper was asked what one weakness Sinner has in his game. Draper said, “Don’t know, maybe he’s too nice.”
Sinner has been arguably the best player in the world this year, but he will be going up against a crowd that will be pulling for Fritz. How the Italian will handle the unique pressure of the raucous New York crowd remains to be seen.
UTR Ratings and UTR Sports INSIGHTS accurate as of 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.