By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 7, 2024
New York—After Frances Tiafoe melted down and misplaced eight of the final 9 video games in his 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 loss to Taylor Fritz in Friday night time’s US Open males’s singles semifinal, the 26-year-old had one factor on his thoughts: ensuring it doesn’t occur once more.
Tiafoe, who was two video games from victory at one level within the fourth set, tossed in back-to-back double-faults and ended up committing 4 consecutive unforced errors to giftwrap the fourth set for Fritz.
He later admitted that he was struggling bodily points, possible cramping because of nervousness and stress.
“It was extra later in that set at 5-4, double-double, I am getting damaged there,” he stated. “I type of felt there out of nowhere, simply cramps out of nowhere. I felt effective. It wasn’t even actually heat or humid tonight.
“I simply assume the second, I obtained forward of myself, and one thing I am undoubtedly going to study for. Promise not gonna occur to me once more.”
It was a shocking turnaround, particularly given simply how properly Tiafoe had performed. Fritz stated he felt overwhelmed by Tiafoe’s stage and was simply attempting to hold on and apply scoreboard stress to his rival.
Taylor Fritz outlasted Frances Tiafoe on this epic 4th set rally.
He received 9 of the subsequent 11 video games. pic.twitter.com/qyvJWjtsuI
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024
Tiafoe, who has now dropped seven consecutive choices to Fritz, says he plans to complete the season robust.
“I’ll let this sting, however I am gonna study from this,” he stated. “You understand, I am gonna work actually onerous. I’ll be in these positions once more, for certain. Simply hoping for a distinct end result.”
Regardless of the loss, the 26-year-old sees the US Open as an enormous second for American tennis.
“I believe it opened the floodgates for certain,” he stated. “I believe guys are gonna begin believing they will go deep in slams. Tommy [Paul] has already made semis of slams, Ben [Shelton] as properly, clearly him beating me final 12 months right here within the quarters. Fritz, now he is made the finals. None of us youthful guys have achieved that.
“See what occurs on Sunday, however I believe plenty of guys are going to have the ability to assume they will do it, particularly on this one the place later within the season, stuff like that with American crowds and what have you ever. I believe it is massive. It exhibits that it is undoubtedly potential. As I stated, once more, the sport’s open. Even with Alcaraz and Sinner and these different guys, it is not what it was once.”