Taylor Fritz Plays Jannik Sinner but Jack Draper Can Be Proud
US Open
September 7, 2024
Taylor Fritz will face the world number one Jannik Sinner in a dream US Open final.
He defeated his compatriot Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a dramatic semi-final on Arthur Ashe.
Taylor Fritz is a player we have repeatedly championed here at Wimbledon Debenture Holders. We knew he had the qualities required to take his career to a higher level.
And so we can feel some of the excitement sweeping American now as a new kind of Taylor Mania takes hold.
We have always thought Fritz was a superstar in the making. And now he has unlocked that potential at his home Grand Slam. But he found it tough as Tiafoe struck first blood.
Taylor admitted: ‘He was overwhelming me from the baseline so much. I told myself that if I didn’t stick with it, I was going to regret it for a long time.’
Now he can savour a huge occasion in New York. A first Grand Slam final. New respect within the sport.
Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper will both take extra confidence into Wimbledon 2025 after their extraordinary journeys at Flushing Meadows.
Draper may have lost his first major semi-final in straights sets. But he pushed Jannik Sinner hard – despite having to battle sickness at the same time.
The Italian played the important moments better to reflect his superior big-time experience, even though both young men were born in 2001.
But in the first two sets, Sinner was asked some serious questions before he finally eased home 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
And the rising British hero will be the source of great excitement going into the New Year. He has just hit the top twenty for the first time – and will learn hugely from this amazing American adventure.
The timing is perfect. Just as Andy Murray leaves the stage, a swashbuckling Englishman arrives to give British fans new hope.
And when Draper broke back against Sinner to level the first set at 5-5, the world watched to see whether an upset might be on the cards. Unfortunately at that moment nerves took a physical and psychological toll on young Jack.
He explained later: ‘I definitely felt 5-5 in the first set was a big game and I threw in a couple of double faults. He tried to break me in the first game of the second set and I was starting to not feel great at that moment.’
Poor Draper vomited three times in all. That raised questions over whether he had hydrated adequately before the match. He just put it all down to nerves.
‘I’m definitely quite an anxious human being.’ he admitted. ‘Sometimes I do feel a bit of nausea on court. I do feel a bit sick when it gets tough.’
Jack will learn and grow from his tremendous US Open run. He will be even more resilient by next summer.
Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper will both feel capable of winning Wimbledon 2025. Their adoring fans will make that occasion extra special – and we can’t wait.
Will you be there at Wimbledon 2025 on historic Centre Court as fresh history is made? We can turn your dream into an unforgettable reality. Just get in touch to discuss your options.