Taylor Fritz, Emma Navarro Into US Open Semi-Finals As Home Hopes Soar

Taylor Fritz and Emma Navarro reached their first Grand Slam semi-finals at the US Open on Tuesday, boosting home hopes of a double American title party this weekend. The 12th-seeded Fritz won a big-hitting battle against fourth-seeded 2020 runner-up Alexander Zverev of Germany 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). He will face either American compatriot Frances Tiafoe or Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria for a place in Sunday's final. Navarro, playing in front of her home New York crowd, also broke through to a maiden Slam semi-final by defeating Paula Badosa of Spain 6-2, 7-5 after trailing 5-1 in the second set.

The 13th seed will tackle second-ranked Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka who demolished China's Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-2 for a spot in Saturday's championship match.

Zverev's defeat means world number one Jannik Sinner is the only top-four player left in the men's draw following the shock early exits of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

"I have had a few looks at Grand Slam quarter-finals over the years so I felt it was my turn to take a step further," said the 26-year-old Fritz who cracked 12 aces amongst his 45 winners.

"It's cool I'm in the semis. But I very much have the mindset of the job's not done."

On Tuesday, Fritz saw three set points come and go in the opener before sweeping through the tie-break.

Zverev, bidding to reach a ninth semi-final at the majors, levelled the tie but Fritz dug deep, converting a fifth set point in the third.

Zverev saved two break points in the sixth game of the fourth but once Fritz won a lung-busting 24-shot rally in the tie-breaker, he had the victory momentum.

"Terrible. Just absolutely terrible by me," said Zverev. "I did nothing to deserve the win,