Fritz will be looking to upset top-ranked Sinner and become the first American US Open champion since 2003.
WHO: Jannik Sinner vs. Taylor Fritz
That: US Open 2024 Men's Singles Final
When: Sunday, September 8 at 2:00 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT)
Where: Arthur Ashe Stadium, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, United States
As: Al Jazeera's live coverage begins at 15:00 GMT
Jannik Sinner will be hoping to shut out a rapturous home crowd when he takes on Taylor Fritz in the US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, where the 12th seed will attempt to become the first American in 21 years to win a Grand Slam singles title.
American fans had grown accustomed to celebrating the triumphs of American men for decades, with players such as Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi collecting 41 Grand Slams between them from the 1970s to the early 2000s.
But since Andy Roddick won his only Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2003, Americans have failed to win any of the four Grand Slams. Riding a streak of 82 consecutive Grand Slams, New York fans will turn up the volume to deafening levels on Sunday as they root for Fritz and hope he can finally break that losing streak.
A final match. photo.twitter.com/lRYl4E1LlB
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024
“I’m going to take it. I have my team and my people close to me,” said Sinner, the No. 1 seed from Italy. “In my mind, I know there are a lot of people watching from home, from Italy, and I just need some support from them.”
Sinner has enjoyed a bumper year with a breakthrough at the Australian Open and was in excellent form in winning the Cincinnati warm-up tournament last month.
The biggest question mark over her chances now is whether she damaged her wrist in a fall during the semi-final, as she was leaning on her left hand when she fell to the court.
“The physiotherapist helped me relax very quickly on the pitch, so I felt good at first. Then, after that, I got into the swing of things, which is good,” Sinner told reporters.
He will be ready to deploy all the weapons in his arsenal against Fritz, who wants to defy the odds again after a convincing run at Flushing Meadows.
Fritz defeated former finalists Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev on his way to the American semi-final, where he beat Frances Tiafoe.
Home favourite Fritz believes his clash against Sinner will be less stressful than his encounter with fellow American Frances Tiafoe as he will be the underdog when he faces the world number one.
“I've always enjoyed playing him. [Sinner]“, said Fritz.
The American possesses one of the most lethal serves in the sport and sent down more than 75 aces throughout the tournament.
He is also full of confidence that he can end the major title drought in US men's tennis.
“I feel like I'm going to go out there and play really well and win. When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”
To the most important final of his career 🤩@Taylor_Fritz97 eliminates Tiafoe 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 6-1.@usopen | #USOpen image.twitter.com/CyQGm1CbWq
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 7, 2024
Jannik Sinner
Age: 23
Current ATP Ranking: 1
US Open Standings: 1
Titles older than 2024: Four
Hard court win-loss ratio in 2024: 34-2
Best previous US Open result: Quarterfinals (2022)
Taylor Fritz
Age: 26
ATP Ranking: 12
US Open Standings: 12
Top titles of 2024: None
Hard court win-loss ratio in 2024: 18-7
Best previous US Open result: Quarter-finals (2023)
