By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 7, 2024
New York – After Frances Tiafoe melted down and dropped eight of his last nine games in his 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss to Taylor Fritz in Friday night’s US Open men’s semifinal, the 26-year-old had one thing on his mind: making sure it didn’t happen again.
Tiafoe, who was two games away from victory at one point in the fourth set, threw two double faults and ended up committing four straight unforced errors to wrap up the fourth set gift for Fritz.
He later admitted that he was suffering physical problems, likely cramps due to anxiety and stress.
“It was later in that set at 5-4, double-double, I’m breaking there,” he said. “I kind of felt there out of nowhere, just cramping out of nowhere. I felt good. It wasn’t too warm or humid tonight either.
“I just think at the moment, I’ve gotten ahead of myself and something I’m definitely going to learn about. Promise it won’t happen to me again.”
It was a stunning turnaround, especially considering how well Tiafoe had been playing. Fritz said he felt overwhelmed by Tiafoe’s level and was just trying to hang on and put scoreboard pressure on his rival.
Taylor Fritz outlasted Frances Tiafoe in this epic 4th set rally.
He won 9 of the next 11 games. pic.twitter.com/qyvJWjtsuI
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024
Tiafoe, who has now dropped Fritz by seven straight decisions, says he plans to finish the season strong.
“I’m going to let this sting, but I’m going to learn from it,” he said. “You know, I’m going to work hard. I will be in these positions again, of course. Just hoping for a different result.”
Despite the loss, the 26-year-old sees the US Open as a big moment for American tennis.
“I think it certainly opened doors,” he said. “I think the boys will start to believe they can go deep into the scrum. Tommy (Paul) has already done half slams, Ben (Shelton) too, obviously he beat me last year here in the quarters. Fritz, now he has reached the final. None of us younger ones have done that.
“You see what happens on Sunday, but I think a lot of guys will be able to think they can do it, especially this where later in the season, things like that with the American crowds and what have you. I think it’s great. This shows that it is definitely possible. Like I said, again, the game is wide open. Even with Alcaraz and Sinner and these other guys, it’s not like it used to be.”
