Taylor Fritz defeated Alexander Zverev 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4 7-6(4) to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open.
It was a clutch performance from Fritz as he won the big points in aggressive fashion to knock out the former finalist.
The win means Fritz is into his first Grand Slam semi-final as he looks to continue his dream of winning a first Grand Slam title.
It’s a win that also guarantees a first-time Grand Slam finalist as Fritz will now play either Grigor Dimitrov or Frances Tiafoe in the last four.
Taylor Fritz seals the first set in a tiebreak against Zverev! pic.twitter.com/c1pyQwVVQZ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2024
In the opening set it was Fritz who looked the better on return as he was aggressive and proactive, taking the match to Zverev.
The German responded by winning some long exchanges as he grinded from the baseline and match Fritz’s high tempo early on.
After missing break point in the fourth game, Fritz continued to execute his tactics well as he recovered on serve and shut down Zverev on return.
In a match that both men knew that the serve would decide the match, a few errors on serve from Zverev allowed Fritz to create three set points in the 12th game.
However Zverev remained composed as he forced a first set tiebreak with some great forehands.
That was only delaying the inevitable though as Fritz turned on the style by dominating the tiebreak 7-2, finishing the set with a smash winner.
As expected though Zverev responded in strong fashion as he produced some persistent returning to put Fritz under pressure in the second set.
The American continued to execute his tactics well but his backhand misfired under pressure and that allowed Zverev to convert his first break point to take a 5-3 lead.
A strong service game from Zverev saw him level the match at one set all as this was turning into a classic quarter-final match.
Both players produced strong returning performances in the third set but it was Fritz who was more clinical as the American took a 3-0 lead.
There was no backing down from Zverev as he won some epic exchanges to win the next three games.
The crucial turning point was at the end of the third set as Fritz remained clutch on serve to save break point in the ninth game and hold for a 5-4 lead.
This saw Fritz turn up the pressure on return as he converted his fifth set point to break Zverev to take a two set to one lead.
In the fourth set a persistent Fritz had chances to secure a crucial break only for Zverev to deny him in the sixth game.
However Zverev was never really in this match on return as he lost a second tiebreak in the match and Fritz booked a place in a first Grand Slam semi-final.
Now the world number 12 will take on Grigor Dimitrov or Frances Tiafoe in the last four as a first-time Grand Slam finalist is guaranteed.
