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Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz have set up an all-American US Open semifinal as compatriot Emma Navarro reached the women’s last four to boost home hopes of a title sweep.
The 20th seed Tiafoe progressed when ninth-ranked Grigor Dimitrov suffered an injury in the third set of their quarterfinal and quit in the fourth with the score at 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1.
Tiafoe also made the last four in 2022 while Fritz reached his first Grand Slam semifinal by defeating fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).
With Tiafoe and Fritz clashing on Friday, the United States is guaranteed a home men’s finalist for the first time since 2006 when Andy Roddick was defeated by Roger Federer.
Roddick remains the last American man to capture a Grand Slam when he claimed the 2003 US Open.
“It’s not the way I wanted to win even if I’m happy to get through to the semifinals,” said Tiafoe of Dimitrov’s injury.
“It was a very high-level match. You’re going to see me against another American, it’s going to be great.
“It will be the biggest match of our careers.”
An American Thriller.
In theaters Friday. pic.twitter.com/hlqfH4U4EM
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2024
‘It’s cool I’m in the semis’
Dimitrov, 33, sought treatment off court after the third set but was reduced to walking pace in the fourth as his hopes slipped away.
The Bulgarian was reluctant to discuss the specifics of his injury after a thigh problem forced him to also quit his last-16 match at Wimbledon in July.
“I think it’s a combination from everything. I think there’s really no point to talk about that. It’s just the game, and I need to keep my head up,” he said.
Zverev’s defeat to Fritz 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 quarterfinals 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 among his 45 winners in his victory.
“It’s cool I’m in the semis. But I very much have the mindset of the job’s not done.”
Germany’s Zverev had been attempting to reach his ninth semifinal at the Slams and third in New York.
“Terrible. Just absolutely terrible by me,” he said of his performance. “I did nothing to deserve the win, simple as that.”
Taylor Fritz will play his first Grand Slam semifinal when he faces compatriot Frances Tiafoe on Friday [Timothy A Clary/AFP]Badosa rues ‘a complete disaster’
Meanwhile, New Yorker Navarro broke through to a maiden Slam semifinal by defeating Paula Badosa of Spain 6-2, 7-5 after coming back from 5-1 down in the second set.
She will tackle world number two and reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, who brushed aside Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-2.
Navarro insisted she always believed she could claw her way back from a 5-1 second- set deficit against New York-born Badosa.
“When I got to 5-2 I had an inkling that I’d win in two sets,” said Navarro, who had lost in the first round on her only other two appearances at the tournament.
“I was a complete disaster today,” said Badosa after committing 35 unforced errors.
Emma Navarro celebrates after defeating Paula Badosa during their women’s quarterfinals [Timothy A Clary/AFP]Second seed Sabalenka needed only an hour and 13 minutes to dismantle China’s Olympic champion and set up a meeting with Navarro, before jokingly promising fans free drinks for their support in that match.
The Belarusian has lost only four service games through the tournament to emerge as the firm favourite to add another major title to her two Australian Open trophies after losing the Flushing Meadows final to Coco Gauff a year ago.
“If you get to the top-five level, everyone will take you as a favourite,” said Sabalenka.
“But as I always say, it’s not about being the favourite, it’s about how hard you’re ready to fight for it.”
Zheng was bidding to become the third Chinese woman to reach the US Open semifinals after Li Na in 2013 and Peng Shuai in 2014.
However, she was completely outplayed and hit just nine winners.
Zheng said the record late finish to her last-16 clash which finished at 2:15am on Monday had affected her performance. She said she only went to bed at 5am.
“I couldn’t sleep after I finished the match 2:30 in the morning. I’m not able to practise yesterday because I was feeling terrible,” said Zheng.
Navarro’s compatriot Jessica Pegula faces top seed Iga Swiatek in their quarterfinal on Wednesday.
Ruthless and flawless 💪@SabalenkaA is back in the semifinals in Flushing Meadows!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/Wyo9nJNiQq
— wta (@WTA) September 4, 2024
