For the first time in almost 20 years, a US player will feature in the men’s singles finals of the US Open, all thanks to Frances Tiafoe who successfully held off Grigor Dimitrov to secure his place in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday evening. This leads to an all-American semi-final face-off with Taylor Fritz.
Benefitting from a fatigued competitor and the passionate support from Arthur Ashe Stadium’s audience, Tiafoe was ahead with scores of 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 4-1 before Dimitrov had to bow out due to an injury during their quarter-final match, moments before midnight. Tiafoe will be going to the semi-finals for the second time in the past three years, coming up against Fritz – a Davis Cup teammate and close friend, and the 12th seed player who pulled off a surprise 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory over the 4th seed player, Alexander Zverev, in the day session.
Tiafoe, a 26-year-old player who hails from Hyattsville, Maryland and the 20th seed, has managed to be the first American to get into three successive US Open quarter-finals since Andy Roddick in 2006 to 2008. Now either Tiafoe or Fritz is set to be the first American man to play in their national championship’s finals since Roddick did so in 2006.
Tiafoe expressed excitement for the semi-final, stating that the better player will triumph on Friday. “Get your popcorn ready, it’s going to be thrilling.”
Dimitrov, who had won the US Open boys’ title 16 years ago and the 9th seed, made it to the men’s quarter-finals in New York for the second time. But the 33-year-old Bulgarian showed visible signs of exhaustion from his five-set Sunday game against Andrey Rublev and seemed lethargic and unfocused during the first set.
Dimitrov had a tough time landing his first serve, which the rowdy crowd of supporters heartily jeered each time he faltered. No match for his competitor’s vigour and agility, Dimitrov played catch-up in all service games except the starter, with Tiafoe’s supporters maintaining a chant to spur on the American. In the fifth and ninth games, Tiafoe outclassed Dimitrov, who only managed to win 14 out of 21 points on his second serve, wrapping up the first round in a neat 52 minutes.
Continuing his momentum into the second round, Tiafoe kept Dimitrov under constant pressure during the latter’s service games, gaining the upper hand in the fourth game. All seemed set for Tiafoe to comfortably cruise ahead with a two-set lead, when Dimitrov abruptly turned the tables with an unexpected show of dominance in the seventh game. Dimitrov earned three break point opportunities before sealing the deal by capitalizing on Tiafoe’s netted forehand.
Following this was a tension-filled tiebreak where nerves were frayed on both sides until Dimitrov snatched a victory in a 72-minute set, curiously ending on consecutive double faults.
At this point, Dimitrov revived his waning performance as Tiafoe’s initial serve percentage slipped below 50. The match seemed momentarily up for grabs until Tiafoe broke in the fifth game. It was a fiercely struck inside-out forehand from the baseline which Dimitrov was unable to return, that did the trick. Dimitrov seemed to be struggling on the court, possibly due to a leg injury sustained during a lengthy rally.
Serving at a score of 3-5, Dimitrov, instead of calling for medical assistance, made the decision to play on and was swiftly defeated, culminating the set with a double fault and the departure of numerous spectators. After leaving the court for medical attention, Dimitrov struggled through four games in evident discomfort before finally raising the white flag after three hours and four minutes of play.
Former world number three Dimitrov, who had to retire earlier this year from a Wimbledon match against Daniil Medvedev owing to a groin injury, stated, “I’ve perpetually pushed myself and my physical prowess to the brink, but there are instances when an important decision has to be made, and today was one such instance.”
The recurring theme of premature Slam exits was a topic again, but what is the alternative? The experienced competitor understands that there are moments when it’s wiser to refrain from pushing himself further. He isn’t enthusiastic about it, but it is what it is. Tiafoe now must readjust his focus for the impending semi-final on Friday against Fritz, who has triumphed in six out of their seven prior matches, including straight victories since their initial face-off at Indian Wells in 2016.
This is the first time two American men are pitted against each other in a Grand Slam semi-final since Andre Agassi’s victory over Robby Ginepri at the 2005 US Open. Making its appeal even greater is the chance it provides to break the 21-year dry spell for American men in the fundamental quartet of tournaments in this sport, a barren spell stretching back to Roddick’s 2003 US Open victory.
Tiafoe expressed his belief in the inevitability of success saying, “You keep finding yourself in those situations, and the time will come.” The game isn’t staid, suggesting it diverges from a time where simply advancing to quarter-finals meant a crash course with Rafa and a one-way ticket home. As Tiafoe acknowledges, circumstances have changed – no one is invincible. Particularly towards the end of the season, when players are potentially fatigued and not at their prime, they are susceptible to defeat. – Guardian