Tiafoe Relishing ‘Epic’ Battle with Fritz in US Open Semis 

USA's Frances Tiafoe smiles as he celebrates his win against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov who retired due to injury during their men's quarterfinals match on day nine of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 3, 2024. (AFP)
USA's Frances Tiafoe smiles as he celebrates his win against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov who retired due to injury during their men's quarterfinals match on day nine of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 3, 2024. (AFP)
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Tiafoe Relishing ‘Epic’ Battle with Fritz in US Open Semis 

USA's Frances Tiafoe smiles as he celebrates his win against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov who retired due to injury during their men's quarterfinals match on day nine of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 3, 2024. (AFP)
USA's Frances Tiafoe smiles as he celebrates his win against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov who retired due to injury during their men's quarterfinals match on day nine of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 3, 2024. (AFP)

Frances Tiafoe promised an epic US Open semi-final showdown against Taylor Fritz as the childhood friends with contrasting personalities, but similar ambitions look to end a long Grand Slam drought for American men.

Tiafoe advanced to the first all-American Grand Slam semi-final since 2005 on Tuesday when Grigor Dimitrov retired injured trailing 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 4-1, just hours after Fritz moved past Alexander Zverev 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4 7-6(4).

The winner of Friday's clash will become the first American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009. Roddick was the last US player to win a men's major when he won in New York in 2003.

Tiafoe, who reached the semis at Flushing Meadows in 2022, said he and Fritz were at opposite ends of the personality spectrum.

"As personalities you can't meet two more extreme," Tiafoe told reporters. "He's video game, never leave the room, goofball. I'm loud, obnoxious at times.

"But he's also very funny. He's got that dry humor, smart ass, but at the same time that's why we like each other because we're so different, and that's why we get along so well."

On the court, there are more similarities than differences.

"Then as competitors, we're very alike, hate to lose. We battle hard, but personalities, we're very different. It's funny to see our relationship how we've gotten older," he added.

"It's going to be epic. Popcorn, do what you got to do. It's going to be a fun one on Friday."

Tiafoe, the 20th seed, comes into the semi-final having won only one of his seven meetings with Fritz but hoped playing at Arthur Ashe Stadium would work in his favor.

"It's different on Ashe," he said. "Obviously you have to learn from those (defeats). A couple of those, I thought I actually should have won.

"I don't think those matches are anywhere near what this match would be, so it's tough to even go from there. Playing quarters of Acapulco and playing semis at Ashe at night, hopefully at night -- it's a little different."

The tournament has seen a number of top contenders go out early, while four-time champion Rafa Nadal is absent due to concerns about his fitness, and Tiafoe said men's tennis was much more open in the current era.

"It's not like it once was where you make quarter-finals, you play Rafa, and you're looking at flights," the 26-year-old added. "That's just the reality.

"Now it's just totally different. No one's unbeatable. Especially later in the season where guys are maybe a little bit cooked. Maybe just not as fresh and they're vulnerable."



England Captain Kane Sets Sights on Ronaldo's Enduring Career

England's striker #20 Harry Kane applauds the fans following the International friendly football match between England and Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on June 3, 2024. England won the match 3-0. (AFP)
England's striker #20 Harry Kane applauds the fans following the International friendly football match between England and Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on June 3, 2024. England won the match 3-0. (AFP)
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England Captain Kane Sets Sights on Ronaldo's Enduring Career

England's striker #20 Harry Kane applauds the fans following the International friendly football match between England and Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on June 3, 2024. England won the match 3-0. (AFP)
England's striker #20 Harry Kane applauds the fans following the International friendly football match between England and Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on June 3, 2024. England won the match 3-0. (AFP)

England captain Harry Kane plans to follow Cristiano Ronaldo's example by extending his career as long as possible.
Portugal striker Ronaldo scored the 900th goal of his remarkable career in a Nations League victory over Croatia on Thursday.
It was the 39-year-old's 213th appearance for his country and the achievement has provided Bayern Munich forward Kane with an incentive as he approaches the latter stages of his own career.
Kane endured a difficult Euro 2024 as Gareth Southgate's side were beaten 2-1 in the final by Spain after a spluttering campaign.
But the 31-year-old is keen to follow in the footsteps of former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo as he prepares for England's Nations League opener against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
"Cristiano is the benchmark, not only being one of the best footballers ever to play, but also the benchmark of how long you can play for at a higher level," Kane told reporters on Friday.
"I think sometimes in football and maybe in sport in general, there's a perception that when you get to your thirties it's time to start slowing down, playing fewer games and not playing to the high level.
"Cristiano is just showing that every week, every time he plays, every time he scores, so from my point of view, that's the aim.
"I want to play as long as possible for England and it's great to see other athletes doing it in front of me. It shows that it's possible, and it's just about how you feel yourself.
"I feel in a really good place, both physically and mentally and whatever noise there is around, as long as you keep performing and keep doing what you know you can, that's all you can do."
Kane is in line to win his 99th cap against Ireland after another draining summer, with little time to rest after the Euros before returning to action.
While acknowledging the physical demands of ever-longer seasons, the former Tottenham striker said the increasing pressure is something players simply have to get used to.
"There was a lot of talk during the Euros about me and my condition, but like I said then, I felt in good shape," he said.
"Did the games go the way I wanted? No. Not really. But there were a lot of us who felt below par in terms of individual performances and we did extremely well to get to where we got to, which was down to our team spirit and cohesion we created over the years.
"But sometimes when it does not go the way you wanted it to go, there is always something to look for and someone to blame. But I feel good, I have come back in a good place and I have started the season well."