Taylor Fritz outlasts Frances Tiafoe to become 1st American man in US Open final since 2006

When Taylor Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, and Frances Tiafoe, a 26-year-old from Maryland, strode under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights Friday night for the first U.S. Open semifinal matching two American men in 19 years, the crowd might have been forgiven for not knowing which to support.

There was a burst of clapping right before the initial point, a curtain-raiser befitting the show about to unfold. Once the contest got going, maybe the momentum shifts made it tough to choose between a pair of close pals who've known each other since they were playing tournaments for kids younger than 14.

In the end, the roars were for Fritz, who surged with a six-game run against a fading Tiafoe to come out on top 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and reach his first Grand Slam final.

"It's the reason why I do what I do," Fritz told the fans, his voice cracking during a post-match interview. "It's the reason why I work so hard."

The No. 12-seeded Fritz's seventh victory in eight professional meetings against No. 20 Tiafoe earned a showdown against No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the championship on Sunday.

He will be the first U.S. man to appear in a major final since Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009 — and the first in New York since Roddick lost to Federer there in 2006. If he can get past Sinner, Fritz would become the first American man to win any Slam trophy since Roddick got his 21 years ago at the U.S. Open.

"It's a dream come true. I'm in the final. So I'm going to come out and give everything I can possibly give," Fritz said. "I can't wait."

From 4-all in the fourth set, he seized control. Tiafoe's mind and legs betrayed him, as he cramped up, at least in part, because of what he said were nerves related to