Taylor Fritz makes brave prediction for US Open final against Jannik Sinner – ‘I have a feeling’
Taylor Fritz believes if he plays his best tennis he will beat Jannik Sinner in the 2024 US Open men’s final, saying “I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win”.
The 26-year-old Fritz has ended the United States’ wait for another men’s Grand Slam finalist after defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe in five sets in the semi-final in New York.
With the win he became the first American man in 15 years to reach a major final as Andy Roddick’s runner-up finish to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009 was the last time a man from the United States played in a final.
He is also hoping to follow in Roddick’s footsteps in terms of an even bigger achievement as the former world No 1 remains the last American man to win a major with his only Slam trophy coming at the 2003 US Open trophy.
But being the last man standing will be no easy feat as he takes on world No 1 and reigning Australian Open champion Sinner.
Fritz, though, feels he has what it takes to beat the Italian.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing him. To be honest, I don’t think that I’m going to be put in a more stressful situation than I was today [against Tiafoe] than playing in a final.
“I think today was much more stressful than me playing the final. I just feel good.
“I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win. When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”
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Despite feeling upbeat about his chances in Sunday’s final, Fritz acknowledges that he won’t be the favourite against the world No 1.
The pair have met twice on the ATP Tour with Fritz winning their 2021 meeting at Indian Wells in straight sets. Sinner, though, won their recent encounter at the same tournament in three sets.
“It was two Americans trying to make it to the final, both of them wanting to be the guy to make it to the final,” he said. “I had a 6-1 head-to-head leading into it. I wasn’t going into this thinking that I am the favourite [in the semi-final] because everything is totally different when you are playing a match.
“He [Tiafoe] has been playing unbelievable all US Open, he has been playing in the night match slot on Ashe every single match. I was not thinking I was the favourite, but it is tough to go into it.
“… I mean it’s a stressful situation to be in. It is different from playing against the world No 1, who you are not going to be the favourite against.
“I think I have always played well against Jannik. I think we are 1-1, it’s been a while since we played, the last he got me in three [sets] at Indian Wells.
“He just hits the ball big, he is a very strong ball striker, but I have always felt I hit the ball very nice off his ball. I think I typically play well against him.”
