Men’s final at US Open: Taylor Fritz challenges Jannik Sinner

World number one Jannik Sinner is in the final of the US Open for the first time in his career. There he will be challenged by American Taylor Fritz.

The Italian Sinner defeated Briton Jack Draper in the semifinals in New York in three straight sets. After 3 hours and 5 minutes, the favorites had won 7:5, 7:6 (7:3), 6:2. Sinner is now just one win away from his second Grand Slam title.

Fritz overwhelmed by emotions

The only person standing in his way in the final on Sunday is Taylor Fritz, who fought a five-set battle with Frances Tiafoe in the American duel, winning 4:6, 7:5, 4:6, 6:4, 6:1. The last time an American reached the men’s singles final was Andy Roddick in 2006, and Roddick had also been responsible for the last US Open victory by a local hero for three years before that.

The 26-year-old quarter-final conqueror of Alexander Zverev then prevailed in a nerve-wracking thriller against Tiafoe, is in a Grand Slam final for the first time in his career and was overwhelmed by his emotions. “I’m in the final of the US Open”said the 26-year-old, fighting back tears. “This is why I do what I do. A dream come true.”

Consolation for loser Tiafoe

At the net, Fritz patted his US colleague on the chest after the match point was converted and tried to cheer up Tiafoe. Deeply disappointed, he left the court bare-chested. Arthur Ashe StadiumThe 26-year-old had already envisioned victory, he reported, until he lost his nerve and ran out of energy in the middle of the fourth set. “This is very, very hard. It will hurt very, very much”said Tiafoe about the defeat. He had already lost his first US Open semifinal in 2022 against Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in five sets.

Sinner against Fritz – and the audience

The fans were more on the side of the more spectacular Tiafoe – but in the end they cheered frenetically for Fritz. Australian Open winner Sinner will also be in this mood in his second Grand Slam final. “The atmosphere is what it is. We are in America, I am playing in New York against an American.”said the South Tyrolean.

The 23-year-old had to overcome a moment of shock during his 7:5, 7:6 (7:3), 6:2 win against underdog Jack Draper. At 4:4 in the second set, he fell on his left wrist and was treated on the bench. “We have to see what it will be like tomorrow when it is colder”said Sinner. “It will be different. Hopefully there will be nothing to worry about.”

Draper vomits on the pitch

Curiously, the physiotherapist had to come into the arena for both players at the same time. Sinner’s opponent Draper vomited four times during the party on the court and was still pale in the face more than half an hour after the semi-final drama had ended. He spoke remarkably openly about his fears in big games. “It was the worst feeling ever,” the 22-year-old reported after the most important match of his career so far. He was more nervous than normal. “I’m an anxious person. When everything comes together, I feel a little nauseous on the pitch and feel bad when things get tight.”

For two sets, the underdog held his own against the world number one Sünder, surprisingly well. But at 5:5 in the first set, Draper was overcome by an unhealthy feeling. In the second set, he vomited several times and then cleaned the court himself with a towel. In the humid conditions, he tried to get colder air from a hose during the changeover by wrapping ice towels around his neck and thighs. But completely weakened, the world number 25 saw his chance of a coup against Sünder slip away.