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US Open 2024: The 12th-seeded Taylor Fritz scripted an epic comeback to outplay rallied past longtime friend and fellow American Frances Tiafoe, reaching his maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open 2024.

The world number 12 is one win away from ending the United States’ 21-year wait for a male Grand Slam singles champion after he registered a 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in his semi-final. With this astonishing win, Fritz set up a US Open title showdown date with world number one Jannik Sinner.

“It’s the reason I do what I do, the reason why I work so hard. I’m in the finals of the US Open. It’s a dream come true and I’m going to give it everything I possibly have. I know that for a fact," Fritz said as he teared up as quoted by ATP.

The 26-year-old American tennis player crushed anticipations by going into his first major singles final at the US Open, despite having only won one ATP Masters 1000 event. Fritz is the first American man to achieve this accomplishment since Andy Roddick in the 2009 Wimbledon final.

In a panoramic meeting, Fritz's opponent, Frances Tiafoe, seemed to gain velocity after winning the second set, capitalizing on the lively crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, Fritz took advantage of the occasion, devastating the difficult circumstances to go to the final.

In a wonderful turn of affairs, Tiafoe's luck turned in the fourth set when he cut a forehand, giving Fritz a set point. Tiafoe then overlooked a strong forehand drop shot, resulting in a deciding set.

Fritz took the gift of the speed shift, breaking Tiafoe's serve in the first game of the fifth set with a powerful backhand return. Fritz temporarily misplaced his double-break advantage due to a two-fault, but he swiftly recovered control and kept his lead, ultimately dominating the fourth set and fifth set.

“I felt I wasn’t doing anything wrong, I was just getting overwhelmed. I was freaking out a little bit and [coach Michael Russell] told me to keep doing what I was doing, accept it was okay and keep making him do it. That helped to calm me down and let me know I was doing the right thing," Fritz said.

“He was overwhelming from the baseline so much, taking the ball so early, changing lines so well. I just told myself to try to stay in it, fight to hold my serve and apply scoreboard pressure as much as possible," Fritz said of Tiafoe's aggressive approach.