US Open 2024: Preview and predictions for men's semifinals

Just as on the women's side, the men will crown a first-time champion at the US Open in 2024. All the semifinalists - Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper, Frances Tiafoe, and Taylor Fritz - are already rankings winners, however. Fritz and Tiafoe could be the biggest winners.

Fritz has moved up to No. 11 in the live ATP rankings, but should he win the US Open he would move up to No. 6. Tiafoe has moved back to No. 16 but should he win the tournament, he will move back inside the top ten.

Sinner has already increased his rankings lead (Alexander Zverev will be the new No. 2 when the rankings are released next week) and should he win the event, he will have a 4,000-point lead over Zverev. Draper will reach at least a career-high of No. 20, but should he win the tournament, he could move up as high as No. 12.

Preview and predictions for the men's semifinals at the 2024 US Open

Frances Tiafoe versus Taylor Fritz

These two friends have met seven times and Fritz has won the last six. In fact, the last time Tiafoe defeated his fellow American was in 2016. In those six Fritz victories, Tiafoe has only won two sets. Both players hit with pace and serve well, but Fritz has simply been more consistent.

Neither player will have an advantage as far as the crowd either. New Yorkers will likely just be happy that an American will make the finals at the US Open for the first time since 2006. No American has won the event since Andy Roddick did in 2003.

This isn't a simple warm-up for whoever either player loses to in the final. Either Tiafoe or Fritz could win the US Open. American tennis might not be fully back, but it is certainly dangerous again. The guess is that Fritz wins in four sets.

Jannik Sinner versus Jack Draper

This one might be easy to choose as Sinner is the ATP No. 1 and the Italian has already eclipsed his best previous result at the tournament which was making the quarterfinals in 2022. Getting past Daniil Medvedev was key because Medvedev had won the US Open before and was playing well. That Sinner won in four sets is extremely impressive.

Jack Draper has been extremely impressive, too. He has yet to drop a set in the tournament. He made beating the athletic Alex de Minaur look easy in the quarterfinals which was somewhat shocking. Still, the 22-year-old Brit has played well this summer and seems to be growing into the player most Brits hope he will be.

Sinner should win the match based on his high-level experience, but Draper won't make it easy as he is playing so well. The Italian wins in five sets.

US Open men's semifinals details:

• Location: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Queens, New York
• Match time: According to the US Open website, the first men's semifinal will be at 3 pm ET

The weather is not going to be a factor on Friday, though even if it was Arthur Ashe Stadium has a retractable roof. It is expected to be cloudy and humid but with little chance of rain.

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