It’s been 21 long years since an American man last claimed a Grand Slam singles title, but this year’s U.S. Open might be where that drought finally ends. With Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe advancing to the quarterfinals on Sunday, and Tommy Paul still in contention, the dream of an American victory feels more attainable than ever.
In a tournament that has seen early exits from top contenders like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, the path to a breakthrough win seems clearer for the American players. Fritz, the No. 12 seed, secured his spot in the quarterfinals by overcoming No. 8 seed Casper Ruud in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
“I think we all push each other and make each other better,” Fritz remarked after his win on Sunday. His performance marks his fifth quarterfinal appearance in the last 10 Grand Slams, though advancing further has been a challenge. Fritz is determined to change that this time around. “I think I’m at the point now where I’m still happy to make quarterfinals but I wouldn’t be happy with it ending here. I really want more than that.”
Fritz is set to face No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev on Tuesday, a player he previously defeated in the round of 16 at Wimbledon. His determination to go beyond the quarterfinals reflects his growth and ambition on the biggest stage.
Frances Tiafoe, the No. 20 seed, also reached the quarterfinals, making it his third consecutive appearance at this stage of the U.S. Open. His journey continued with a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 victory over 28th-seeded Alexei Popyrin. Despite a challenging year, Tiafoe has shown remarkable consistency at this tournament, which he has vowed to win someday.
“I always dreamt about playing on this court from a kid I used to hit against a wall and want to compete on this court,” Tiafoe shared in his on-court interview. “It brings out the best in me.” Tiafoe’s next challenge will be against No. 9 seed Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday.
With these American players pushing each other and breaking through to the later stages of the tournament, the possibility of ending the two-decade-long Grand Slam title drought is more real than it has been in years. As the U.S. Open continues, all eyes will be on Fritz, Tiafoe, and potentially Paul, as they strive to make history.
