Tiafoe Ended Up Losing after he Thought he Was About to Beat Fritz at US Open

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Taylor Fritz (R) of the United States embraces Frances Tiafoe of the United States after defeating him in their Men's Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.   Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Taylor Fritz (R) of the United States embraces Frances Tiafoe of the United States after defeating him in their Men's Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP
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Tiafoe Ended Up Losing after he Thought he Was About to Beat Fritz at US Open

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Taylor Fritz (R) of the United States embraces Frances Tiafoe of the United States after defeating him in their Men's Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.   Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Taylor Fritz (R) of the United States embraces Frances Tiafoe of the United States after defeating him in their Men's Singles Semifinal match on Day Twelve of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP

Frances Tiafoe figures he lost to Taylor Fritz at the US Open because it suddenly occurred to him Friday night that he was close to winning and reaching his first Grand Slam final.

“In the past matches, before, I was only thinking about what it takes to win,” Tiafoe said, “rather than think about what’s potentially ahead.”

Tiafoe came within two games of claiming a victory in his all-American semifinal at Flushing Meadows, but dealt with a mix of cramps and nerves that played a role in his winding up on the short end of the 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 result against Fritz.

“Oh, man. It’s tough. It’s really, really tough. Really, really tough to swallow. This one’s gonna hurt really, really bad,” said Tiafoe, who also lost in five sets in the US Open semifinals two years ago against Carlos Alcaraz. “I mean, I thought I was the better player, for sure, tonight."

He was for a lot of the match, and after taking a two-sets-to-one lead, he was in good shape at 4-all in the fourth. But two consecutive double-faults helped hand Fritz that set, part of a six-game run that completely changed things, The Associated Press reported.

“Here I was, really in a position, to win, to see ahead — was almost able to be in that position,” Tiafoe said.
“Just had some in-and-out cramps,” he explained. “I just felt like my body just kind of shut down on me.”
Tiafoe, who is from Maryland, and Fritz, from California, are both 26 and have known each other for more than a decade.
But Fritz said he couldn't pick up any signs that Tiafoe was in distress.
“He did an incredibly good job of not showing me, to be honest,” said Fritz, who will face No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy in Sunday's final.
That will be Fritz's debut in a Grand Slam title match.
It could have been Tiafoe's.
“I just got ahead of myself. This stinks a bit — not a bit. This stinks a lot,” Tiafoe said. “But I’m going to learn from it and I will be better going forward, for sure.”



Barcelona Faces Athletic Bilbao in Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final Wednesday in Jeddah

General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
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Barcelona Faces Athletic Bilbao in Spanish Super Cup Semi-Final Wednesday in Jeddah

General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA
General view from Jeddah - File photo/SPA

Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will face off tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m.
Barcelona, the most decorated team in the history of the Spanish Super Cup with 14 titles from 27 appearances, is looking to secure a place in the final.

Athletic Bilbao, boasting three titles, is equally determined to advance and enhance its storied legacy, according to SPA.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Spanish Super Cup, an event organized as part of the Quality of Life Program, underscores the Kingdom's growing status as a global hub for major sporting events.

This initiative aligns with Vision 2030, which aims to develop the sports sector, foster growth, and promote a vibrant society.