Fritz ends 15-year wait for American male Slam finalist

NEW YORK, Sept 07 (AFP): Taylor Fritz became the first American man since 2009 to reach a Grand Slam final on Friday, setting up a US Open title showdown against world number one Jannik Sinner.
Fritz, the world number 12, twice fought back to defeat compatriot Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in his semi-final.
Australian Open champion Sinner became the first Italian man to make the New York final with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 win over an ailing Jack Draper of Britain.
"He overwhelmed me at the start and I was freaking out a little," said 26-year-old Fritz after securing victory with a 16th ace.
"I just told myself to stay in it, hold serve and apply scoreboard pressure.
"I did all I could to stay in it. If I hadn't have done that I'd regret it forever. In the final, I will come out and give it everything."
Andy Roddick was the last American to make a men's singles final at the Slams at Wimbledon in 2009. He was also the last man from the country to capture a major title when he won the 2003 US Open.
Fritz was just five years old at the time.
Tiafoe was the better player for large parts of the semi-final but after dumping a lazy drop shot into the net to surrender the fourth set, his game fell apart.
In a 27-minute final set, Tiafoe won just nine points as he slumped to a second US Open semi-final loss in his last three visits.
"It's tough to swallow, it's going to hurt," said Tiafoe.
"I thought I was the better player but in the fourth set I had some cramps. My body kind of shut down on me. Probably to do with nerves."
Earlier, in a gruelling three-hour match, Draper, the first British man in the semi-finals since Andy Murray won the title in 2012, was undone by 10 double faults and 43 unforced errors.
He also vomited on the court, blaming anxiety for the illness.