US Open: A Taylor-made win for Fritz

When Taylor Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, and Frances Tiafoe, a 26-year-old from Maryland, strode under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights Friday night for the first US Open semifinal matching two American men in 19 years, the crowd might have been forgiven for not knowing which to support.

• OUTLASTS TIAFOE IN FIVE-SET THRILLER TO REACH FINAL

There was a burst of clapping right before the initial point, a curtain-raiser befitting the show about to unfold. Once the contest got going, maybe the momentum shifts made it tough to choose between a pair of close pals who've known each other since they were playing tournaments for kids younger than 14.

In the end, the roars were for Fritz, who surged with a sixgame run against a fading and frustrated Tiafoe to come out on top 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-4 6-1 and reach his first Grand Slam final.