The US Open has long been known as the most unpredictable Grand Slam. That reputation was reinforced this year with a series of surprises, including the first-week exits of defending champion Novak Djokovic and reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz.
An unusually high number of early exits from top seeds have made the 2024 US Open 's later stages the least exciting in recent years, but the situation has been somewhat salvaged by an all-American semifinal, keeping the host nation's interest alive until the final.
Taylor Fritz will have the whole of America behind him, but even if Italian Jannik Sinner is alone on the other side of the net at Arthur Ashe Stadium, he will be a formidable obstacle for the 12th seed.
Despite the controversy surrounding a positive drug test that created a stir before this year's US Open, Sinner has been consistent. And even after suffering a wrist injury in the semi-finals, he still managed to overcome Jack Draper.
Sinner has eight hard-court titles, including the Australian Open earlier this year, and has 20 wins over Top 10 players on hard courts since the start of 2023.
In fact, he has surpassed Roger Federer to become the youngest player ever to reach two Grand Slam hard-court finals in one year. Winning the New York title would make him only the fourth player, after Mats Wilander, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, to win two Grand Slam hard-court titles in one season.
Sinner's record in 2024 is 54-5 and 74-7 since the end of last year's US Open.
For Fritz, going through a five-set semifinal against Frances Tiafoe was not how anyone expected him to win. Luckily for him, Tiafoe ran out of steam midway through the fourth set.
The 26-year-old is considered a typical American strong-serving player, but experts say he needs to be smart to beat Sinner.
Since John Isner's decline around 2019, Fritz has been the flag bearer for American tennis. But after Jessica Pegula lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the women's singles final , the pressure will be on Fritz to prevent Sinner from bringing the silverware back to Italy.
MATCH SCHEDULE
* 2024 US Open Men's Singles Final
01:00 September 9: Jannik Sinner - Taylor Fritz
(The match is broadcast live on MyTV).
