1 Response to uo24fritz_tiafoe

1. Voo de Mar says:

   September 7, 2024 at 4:35 am

   Points won by each set: | 30-36, 33-22, 23-29, 29-26, 25-9 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   37 % Fritz – 49 of 131
   25 % Tiafoe – 33 of 131

   Even though it was [20] Tiafoe’s second major semifinal (previous also in New York) while [12] Fritz’s first, Fritz was a heavy favorite having a 6:1 H2H record against his one year younger compatriot, moreover Fritz spent three hours fewer en route to the last four (in spite of two retirements in Tiafoe’s matches). Fritz raced to a 3:0* lead, then lost five straight games (was he subdued because the crowd had been supported his opponent more?). Tiafoe withstood break points in two games during his streak. A tie-break of the 2nd set seemed inevitable as they both were holding easily, but in the 12th game Tiafoe lost his serve at ‘love’, and the set automatically. A break in the opening game of the 3rd set was crucial for the outcome of that set – amazing Tiafoe’s backhand passing-shot helped a lot. The 4th set was similar to the second: Fritz was mainly focused of not being broken, at 3-all he won the longest rally of the match (with the help of two backhand slices, rarity in his repertoire), and it was a sign of his better physical preparation for a 3-hour battle. There was 5:4* (15/40) for him when Tiafoe committed two double faults in a row followed by two casual mistakes. The decider confirmed what had been be observed at the end of the previous set – Fritz was simply fresher, and he won it losing his serve at 4:0, so Tiafoe was unable to hold any of his last four service games. It was the first all-American semifinal at the US Open since 2005 when Agassi defeated Ginepri in five.

   Serve & volley: both 0

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