Taylor Fritz to face Jannik Sinner in final of 2024 US Open

Jannik Sinner (YouTube)

Taylor Fritz of San Diego, California will be facing Jannik Sinner of San Candido, Italy in the final of the 2024 United States Open in Flushing Meadows, New York on Sunday. In the semifinals on Friday, Sinner defeated Great Britain’s Jack Draper 7-5, 7-6, 6-2. Sinner is the first seed, while Draper is the 25th seed. Then in an all-American semifinal on Friday night, Fritz, the 12th seed, beat Frances Tiafoe of Hyattsville, Maryland, the 20th seed, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Sinner is looking for his second career grand slam title. He previously beat Daniil Medvedev of Russia, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the final of the 2024 Australian Open. This is the first grand slam final for Fritz. In fact, this was his very first grand slam semifinal.

The serve was a major reason why Sinner beat Draper. Sinner had 11 aces and two double faults, and Draper had eight aces and 10 double faults. Sinner, who won 7-3 in the second set tiebreak, broke Draper four times in 11 opportunities. Prior to losing to Sinner, Draper had played some fine tennis, as he had not lost a set. In order for Draper to take that next step, one area of his game he needs to work on according to John McEnroe of ESPN, is his fitness.

Fritz also had the service edge over Tiafoe. Fritz had 17 aces compared to 11 for Tiafoe. Fritz had three double faults compared to seven for Tiafoe.

Fritz and Sinner have faced each other once before. Fritz won 6-4, 6-3 in the fourth round of Indian Wells in 2021. Sinner won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of Indian Wells in 2023.