"It was really overwhelming" - Taylor Fritz after downing Frances Tiafoe in all-American US Open SF to reach maiden Major final

Taylor Fritz spoke up about the challenging nature of his 2024 US Open semifinal win over compatriot Frances Tiafoe. The duo locked horns on Friday, September 6, with the former emerging triumphant after a five-set marathon to reach his maiden Grand Slam final.

The all-American contest proved to be a topsy-turvy affair. Fritz started positively with his booming serves. However, Tiafoe soon came into his own and started dictating the match from the baseline, which helped him take the first set 6-4. Fritz leveled things up by winning the second 7-5, aided by a near-perfect serving display.

The third set started with Tiafoe breaking Fritz, with the former eventually holding on to win it 6-4. Tiafoe seemed to run out of steam in the fourth set, which Fritz clinched 6-4 to take the match to a decisive fifth set. Here, the World No. 12 was dominant and barely allowed the 2022 US Open semifinalist to settle. Ultimately, Fritz took the fifth set 6-1 and booked his place in the final.

In his post-match on-court interview, Taylor Fritz opened up about his thoughts on his first and third set losses and how he managed to turn things around in his favor. According to him, dealing with Frances Tiafoe's strong baseline game was "overwhelming".

"He (Tiafoe) was overwhelming from the baseline so much. He was taking the ball so early, changing lines so well, and it was just really overwhelming and I just tried to tell myself to stay in it and fight," Taylor Fritz said.

The World No. 12 went on to shed light on how he motivated himself to play at his best level.

"I told myself that if I didn't give it absolutely everything I had -- to just stick with it and see if his level might drop a little bit -- then I was going to regret it for a long time," Taylor Fritz added.

Fritz is set to face World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the 2024 US Open men's singles final on September 8.

Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner's third ATP Tour-level meeting to decide US Open 2024 men's singles champion

Jannik Sinner (Source: Getty)

Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner will meet for the third time on the ATP Tour on Sunday, September 8, with the winner set to be crowned the new men's singles champion at Flushing Meadows.

World No. 1 Sinner sealed his spot in the final by defeating good friend Jack Draper in the semis in straight sets. The Italian looks the favorite on paper to defeat Fritz. However, the American will have the backing of the New York crowd, which may prove telling.

The pair's ATP Tour head-to-head is even as well, adding to the unpredictability of the final. Both of their meetings so far have come at Indian Wells. The first one, a Round of 16 clash at the 2021 edition of the ATP Masters 1000 event, went Fritz's way. However, it was Sinner who won their next meeting, a quarterfinal clash at last year's edition of the tournament.