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US Open Tennis 2024: Predictions for Men's Semifinals Bracket on Today's Schedule

Nicholas Nathanson

On Friday, a Grand Slam men's semifinal will feature two Americans for the first time since 2005.

Longtime friends Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will face off for the eighth time (Fritz leads 6-1), and the winner will become the first American to reach the last round of a major since Andy Roddick reached the Wimbledon final in 2009.

Meanwhile, in the other semifinal matchup, top seed Jannik Sinner will look to keep his dominant hard-court season alive against Jack Draper, who has yet to drop a set this tournament.

Here's everything you need to know about today's matchups.

TV Schedule and Information

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Location: Arthur Ashe Stadium

Time: 3:00 p.m. EST (Sinner vs. Draper), 7:00 p.m. (Fritz vs. Tiafoe)

TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes

Streaming: ESPN+

Jannik Sinner vs. Jack Draper

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Jannik Sinner dropped just one set in his last two matches, thoroughly dominating Daniil Medvedev in their recent quarterfinal match.

In 2024, the 23-year-old has ascended into the world's best player on the hard-court surface.

The top seed has won 33 of 35 matches, including his first Grand Slam title at the 2024 Australian Open.

At 6'2", Sinner is able to generate power on his groundstrokes, rare for a player of his stature, while possessing a serve that is now borderline top 5 on the ATP tour.

As impressive as Sinner has been, so has Jack Draper.

The Brit has yet to drop a set this entire tournament, despite facing talented opponents such as Botic van de Zandschulp and, most recently, Alex de Minaur.

Despite Draper's current form, Sinner is still performing at a higher level, and even if Draper is able to bring his best, he'll still need to rise to the physical occasion against an opponent that shines in the match's most grueling moments.

Prediction: Sinner in four sets

Taylor Fritz vs Frances Tiafoe

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When Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe take court for their semifinal match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, they'll end a drought that began when they were just seven years old.

But that's not all; the winner of their duel will be just one match away from ending a United States men's tennis Grand Slam drought that began on these very courts back in 2003, when Andry Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open.

Who will persevere in this historic all-American battle?

Fritz enters in better form after defeating back-to-back hard-court specialists Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.

In his latest victory, the No. 12 seed was impressive from his backhand, able to go toe-to-toe with Zverev, whose backhand is considered one of the best on tour.

Yet, Tiafoe has always been able to rise to the occasion in New York, reaching the semifinal for the second time in three years.

Fritz enters as the favorite, but much of this match will be contingent on both players' ability to serve.

In the end, Tiafoe's improved net play and aggression may prove to be too much for Fritz, allowing him to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Tiafoe in five sets

   

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