Taylor Fritz believes his US Open title clash against Jannik Sinner this evening will be less stressful than his encounter with fellow American Frances Tiafoe as he will be the underdog when he meets the world No 1.
Fritz, the top-ranked American at world No 12, outlasted Tiafoe 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 6-1 in the semifinals on Friday night to take a big step towards ending his country’s 21-year wait for a men’s Grand Slam champion.
Having become the first US man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009, Fritz said he’d relish his shot at glory. “I’ve always enjoyed playing him [Sinner],” he told reporters.
“To be honest, I don’t think I’m going to be put in a more stressful situation than I was today. I think today was much more stressful than me playing the final. I just feel good. I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win.”
The match took place after Sinner defeated an ailing Jack Draper 7-5 7-6(3) 6-2, with the hopes of a nation weighing heavy on the two Americans. “Both of us want to be the guy to make it,” said Fritz, who held a 6-1 advantage in head-to-head meetings with Tiafoe before the match.
“I’m not going into this thinking I’m the favourite because everything’s totally different when you’re playing a match like this,” he said, adding that Tiafoe had played unbelievable tennis during the US Open.
Playing against Jack, it’s never easy. He served very well... Happy to win this one. I know he’s potentially winning some big titles in the future.
— Jannik Sinner
Fritz was beaten in three sets the last time he met Sinner in the quarterfinals at Indian Wells last year, and he expects a huge test against a player who has since made his Grand Slam breakthrough by winning this year’s Australian Open.
“He strikes, he hits the ball big, he’s like a very strong ball striker, but I feel like I always hit the ball really nice off of his ball. I think I typically play well against him,” Fritz said.
Sinner is hopeful the wrist injury he sustained in a fall during Friday’s semifinal win over Draper will not be a bother during the final.
Top seed Sinner, the first Italian man to reach a US Open singles final, received medical attention during the gruelling straight-set win, while his opponent vomited three times in the New York heat.
“The physio [loosened] it up very fast on court, so after I felt okay in the beginning. Then, after, it went away by playing, which is good,” Sinner told reporters. “Let’s see how it is tomorrow when it’s cold. It’s going to be a different feeling. Hopefully it’s nothing to concern about.”
The 23-year-old said he expected Britain’s Draper, who reached a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time, to be a strong contender. “Playing against Jack, it’s never easy. He served very well... Happy to win this one. I know he’s potentially winning some big titles in the future.”
The Australian Open champion said he expected a difficult match, playing against a home favourite who’s hoping to end the host nation’s 21-year men’s Grand Slam drought. “Big serve. Very solid player from the back of the court. He can hit strong. He can hit with rotation. He can mix up the game very well,” Sinner said.
“We’re in New York playing against an American, so it’s going to be... for sure, the crowd a little bit more on their side. But it’s normal. It’s like when I play in Italy... so I’m going to accept that.”
Reuters
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