USA's Moment? Taylor Fritz Is Into The US Open Semifinals After A Monster Effort To Dispatch Alexander Zverev

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It took monster clutch serves, incredible baseline hitting, and impressive returning but America's Taylor Fritz is finally into the first grand slam semifinal of his career. After today's four set grind of a victory on Ashe, he finds himself just two wins away from breaking the two decades long American male curse at slams. 

Fritz was elite today. Probably the best he's ever been on a big stage. Zverev had moments in this match where he looked poised to take over and runaway with it. Nearly every time Taylor composed himself and slammed the door. He got so many first serves from Zverev back in play which allowed him to target the forehand and rack up success. 

A hot start was necessary though. Gotta get the home crowd behind you and just ride the momentum. Fritz did just that. 

Zverev had some "holy shit" moments in this one though. This around the net forehand rip was fucking outrageous. 

This incredible exchange at the net during a crucial point made you think the scale was about to tip in Zverev's favor. This got him a break point opportunity to try and take a two sets to one advantage. 

Fritz didn't just shut the door there, but also broke in the very next game to steal the set.

In the end Fritz was simply too good. During the big moments he thrived and when you're playing a guy of the caliber of Zverev in a US Open quarter, the margins are microscopic. Taylor dominated the match's two tiebreaks and left zero doubt about the result. His reward? This moment. 

After the match, Fritz's girlfriend Morgan Riddle shared this note he wrote to himself after losing at Wimbledon. The strides he's made in his game since that point have saw him soar up the rankings and get to this moment. 

Speaking of Morgan, she made headlines at Wimbledon after Fritz beat Zverev there. 

She took down the post after what I assume a request by a PR agency, but safe to say she doesn't care for Zverev. 

We stan Morgan around these parts

Tonight we see if Tiafoe can join Fritz in the semis. With a win we'll have ourselves a guaranteed American male in the final. With Alcaraz and Djokovic already knocked out, this feels like the moment someone breaks through. Now of course Jannik Sinner remains on the other side of the bracket after his jaw dropping performance last night to get by Tommy Paul. I swear if Tommy was playing anyone else last night he wins the first two sets. That's how good the Italian was. He's a fucking monster, but he'll have to deal with the always complicated Daniil Medvedev tomorrow night before he thinks about the final. No football on tonight so you best tune in and root on Big Foe for the W. 

P.S. Not to just focus on the men, Emma Navarro got through Badosa in straight sets this afternoon to reach her own maiden semifinal. If Pegula can upset Iga tomorrow night then an all-american final is within reach.