Frances Tiafoe into US Open semifinals, as Grigor Dimitrov is injured

Frances Tiafoe reached the US Open semifinals for the third time in the last three years after his semifinal opponent in the quarterfinals, Grigor Dimitrov, stopped playing due to an injury sustained in the fourth set on Tuesday night.

Sep 04, 2024 04:17 AM

Sep 4, 2024, 12:17 AM ET

NEW YORK Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz set the stage for an all-American semifinal match at the US Open with victories Tuesday and Wednesday, putting an United States a man in the final match of the nation’s Grand Slam tournament for the first time in the last 18 years.

The 20th seeded Tiafoe reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for only the second time in the past three years after in the semi-finals, his opponent Grigor Dimitrov had to withdraw due to an injury suffered in the final game. Tiafoe was leading 7-6, 6-3 (5) 36-3 4-1 as midnight approached when Dimitrov quit the match, resulting in an unfortunate conclusion to a match that wasn’t necessarily high-end.

“It’s not the way I want to get through,” Tiafoe declared, “but obviously happy to be able to. Another semifinal here. Incredible.”

One glimpse of of uneven play that both teams have: Dimitrov held three set points in the tiebreaker 3-3. On the first occasion, Dimitrov double-faulted. In the second the third, he double-faulted once more. In the third, Tiafoe double-faulted, handing over the set.

A few hours earlier, Fritz progressed in a much more pleasing manner. After years of rising up the ranks as the best American player in tennis, of getting close to making an impact in one of the tournaments, the four biggest events in tennis, Fritz finally came through in his home court, beating the world’s No. four Alexander Zverev 7-6 (2) 7-6 (2), 3-6 7-6 (3) to make it to a major semifinal for first time.

The 12th seeded Fritz 26, a native of California was in the tournament with a 0-4 record in the Slam the quarterfinals.

The following Friday he’ll play his long-time rival Tiafoe the 26-year-old from Maryland who was defeated by the eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 US Open semifinals.

“It’s the biggest game for me and Taylor’s lives. We’ve known each for quite a while. I’ve played Taylor since the 14-and-under tournaments,” Tiafoe said during an interview on the court. “So being playing him in this court … it’s going to be a blast. We’re both Americans however, I’m hoping you’ll be with me Friday.”

Fritz has a head-to-head advantage of 6-1 against Tiafoe as the pros.

“I definitely wasn’t thinking he was going to do what he’s done,” Tiafoe told the press. “He’s changed his body completely. He’s really talented. He was more like a only a part-time player. He played for a few times each week. And he’ll tell you that the school he attended was a regular high school. He was an ordinary kid, while we’re on the ground working. Then he began to put more effort into the sport.

“As we grew closer to achieving it, and we saw how dedicated he is as well as how strongly he wants it, after we had all decided to were trending, we all were pushing one another to desire to be great. Sometimes unspoken, occasionally we talk about it, but we don’t want to be separated from one another. It’s been a unique experience to be a part of.”

The showdown between Fritz and TiafoeThe showdown – “That could be crazy,” Fritz stated before he could decide who would be his next opponent — was the first semifinal match between two American males at a major since 2005 in which Andre Agassi defeated Robby Ginepri in New York.

The last time an American man has ever won an Grand Slam singles trophy since Andy Roddick triumphed at the US Open in 2003; Roddick was the only player who was from United States in the US Open final, but lost against Roger Federer in the year 2006. Roddick also was the only player who was from United States in a major final, which took place at Wimbledon in 2009.

“We spoke about it for years: This is the group,” Tiafoe stated, referring to himself, Fritz, Tommy Paul and Reilly Opelka. “We’ve all been knocking on doors. Taylor has been both in and out of the top 10 players. I was 10 when I started last year. Tommy’s knocking at his door in the quarters and playing excellent. It’s just a matter the time.

“And playing isn’t as if we’re in a position that you’re in the quarterfinals, you play Rafael Nadal] and you’re considering the possibility of flights. That’s just the reality. It’s a completely different game. It’s like, nobody’s invincible. Particularly late in the season when players are a bit overcooked or not as fresh, and vulnerable. It’s pretty thrilling.”

Dimitrov was seeded at No. 9, had played a five-setter in fourth round. He appeared be losing his energy when he was in third of his match against Tiafoe as he strained his left hamstring, moving around the court with a slack posture and hitting his serves slower as he did earlier. Following the set, Dimitrov was visited by an instructor and was then taken into the gym to receive treatment.

It was back on the court at the beginning in the 4th set, but was unable to properly move and then he had to leave. Dimitrov, a 33-year-old player from Bulgaria who has played in three semi-finals major and didn’t reveal afterward what went wrong, merely the fact that it was an accumulation of events.

“Just a disappointing moment for me,” Dimitrov stated. “I need to reassess a couple of things.”

The remaining men’s quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday The No. 1 Jannik Sinner against No. 5 Daniil Medvedev, and No. 10 Alex De Minaur against No. 25 Jack Draper.

Associated Press and ESPN’s Coley Harvey contributed to this report.