The fact that Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe are in the semifinals has generated a ton of buzz at the U.S. Open, especially in American tennis circles. Each player is two victories away from becoming the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick at the 2023 U.S. Open.
Unfortunately for Fritz and Tiafoe (and Jack Draper, for that matter), everyone other than Jannik Sinner may be playing for second place.
Sinner, always among the top three favorites and then the overwhelming favorite after Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic lost early, continued to cement his status as such with a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 quarterfinal victory over Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday night. Following a roller-coaster ride in the first two sets, the world No. 1 took control and advanced in two hours and 39 minutes.
(I’m) happy how I handled the situation,” Sinner commented. “It’s very tough against him. Yeah, I think it was a great match from both sides. I think the fourth set was then more tough, because the scoreboard was a bit different. All things considered, I’m very, very happy and let’s see what I can do now in the semis.”
The Italian will be a huge favorite on Friday against first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Jack Draper, although Draper has not lost a single set so far in New York.
It will be an all-American showdown in the other semi: Taylor Fritz vs. Frances Tiafoe.
