Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz have set up an all-American showdown in the semi-finals of the US Open after both scored stunning wins on the showpiece courts on Wednesday. The 20th-seeded Tiafoe made his way through when injury forced ninth-ranked Grigor Dimitrov to retire. He quit during the fourth set with Tiafoe leading 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 4-1. For Tiafoe, this will be his second successive US Open semi-final following on from 2022.
Fourth-ranked Fritz reached his maiden Grand Slam semi-final in style, defeating German Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller. He won 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3)-a first-time feat for the American.
Whichever one between the two Americans breaks through to the final, the US will be guaranteed a men’s finalist in this year’s US Open for the first time since 2006.
Navarro into Women’s Semi-Finals
Emma Navarro continued her strong run in front of the home crowd to reach the semifinals, as she defeated Spanish talent Paula Badosa. In what was a gutsy display, Navarro won in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, coming from 5-1 down in the second set to show just how resilient and determined she is.Navarro now faces second seed Aryna Sabalenka, who eased through her quarterfinal against Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win.
Tiafoe Reflects on Dimitrov’s Injury
Speaking after the match, Tiafoe was in a mixed mood about Dimitrov’s injury. “That’s not how I wanted to win, but at the same time, I am pleased to make the semis again. It was a really difficult match, and I’m looking forward to playing another American next.But Dimitrov retired and called for medical treatment off court in the fourth set, struggling visibly, and never returned. The Bulgarian also was dogged by an injury at Wimbledon this year as he retired in the last 16.
Fritz Focused on Final
Taylor Fritz said after hitting 12 aces and 45 winners following his victory, “It is great to be in the semis, but the job is not done. I have had my chances in the past, but this time I want to take the next step.”
Zverev, through to a ninth Grand Slam semi-final, was underwhelmed with his night’s work: “I didn’t deserve to win today. It was a terrible match from my side,” he said.
Sabalenka Cruises through Quarter-Final
On the women’s side of the draw, Aryna Sabalenka flexed her muscles as she required just over an hour to see off Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka, the current Australian Open champion, was in such a jovial mood following victory that she promised free drinks to the crowd, such was their support.
“I’m glad people see me as a favorite, but it’s about how much you’re ready to fight for it,” Sabalenka said. “I’ll do my best to hold the trophy.”
Zheng admitted her late finish in the previous round, which finished at 2:15 a.m., affected her display and left her tired for the quarter-final.
