The home fans in New York can cheer for an American in the final for the first time in a long time. Local heroes Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz meet in the semi-finals. Tiafoe has had an unusual journey.
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- Frances Tiafoe impresses at the US Open and reaches the semi-finals.
- Roger Federer also watches his quarter-final match against Grigor Dimitrov. Tiafoe is delighted with his celebrity spectator.
- The 26-year-old Tiafoe, who grew up in difficult circumstances, now meets his childhood friend Taylor Fritz.
Frances Tiafoe has made the American semi-final duel with Alexander Zverev's conqueror Taylor Fritz at the US Open perfect. The 26-year-old beat Grigor Dimitrov in front of tennis legend Roger Federer.
Tiafoe benefited from the ailing Bulgarian retiring at 6:3, 6:7 (5:7), 6:3, 4:1. Dimitrov was barely able to move from the end of the third set. This will be the first time a male US tennis pro has reached a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009. The last men's title to date was also won by the now 42-year-old - in 2003 at the US Open in New York. "I didn't want to win like that, but I'm happy to have won," said Tiafoe about his victory by retiring.
Tiafoe impressed by Federer
Federer's presence also impressed the usually cool Tiafoe. "He looked exactly the same in the box as he did when he was playing - no sweating or anything." He also admired his suit, his ironed T-shirts and his immaculate hair. Tiafoe enthuses: "It's just like, what's wrong with this guy? I've always made fun of it. But what a guy, what a legend. So beautiful, he just enjoys his life. He just turns up wherever he wants and everyone embraces him. It's unbelievable wherever he goes - such an icon."
Many tennis fans have also taken Tiafoe to their hearts. No wonder, after all, the number 20 in the ATP ranking has a moving story behind him. His parents come from Sierra Leone and had to flee due to the civil war. They ended up in a suburb of Washington DC, where Frances and his twin brother Franklin were born.
Growing up at the tennis center
Their father found a job as a construction worker and helped to build a nearby sports facility, which happened to be the "Junior Tennis Champions Center" - one of the best training facilities in the country. Tiafoe senior got a job there and enrolled his two sons in tennis lessons. Little Francis benefited from free lessons and showed early signs of his talent.
Tiafoe won the prestigious Orange Bowl as a junior. He then made his professional debut at the age of 17. Since then, "Big Foe" has fought his way up the tennis scene step by step. With his strong first serve and cracking forehand, Tiafoe is unpleasant for any opponent.
The 26-year-old is now in the semi-finals of a major tournament for the second time (after the 2022 US Open). "Big Foe" is looking forward to the upcoming US duel against Fritz. "This will be the biggest match of my and Taylor's lives. We've been playing against each other since we were 14 years old."
After his four-set victory over Alexander Zverev, Fritz was also looking forward to the expected climax on Friday (local time). "It's going to be a lot of fun and electrifying," said Fritz full of anticipation. "It will be great for the fans - and it guarantees that one of us will be in the final."
