Michael Russell keys Taylor Fritz to defeat Jannik Sinner for US Open title | ATP Tour

In the coaches’ corner

Michael Russell key Fritz defeats Sinner for US Open title

Russell speaks exclusively to ATPTour.com after Fritz’s semi-final win

September 07, 2024

Taylor Fritz claimed the biggest honor of his career on Friday evening when he defeated Frances Tiafoe in five sets to become the first American man to reach the US Open final since Andy Roddick in 2006. It was a special moment for Fritz and his team, led by coach Michael Russell, who gave him a big hug.

“I’m proud of the way he battled through such a tough match, playing one of your best friends on Tour, and being in a situation where both guys wanted to win so bad,” Russell told ATPTour.com. “There are a lot of challenges, and he did a great job of digging deep and fighting and reaching the final of the US Open as an American for the first time in so many years, it’s really special”.

Fritz explained after the match that he felt frustrated in the rallies when Tiafoe was leading two sets to one. He spoke to Russell, who helped convince the 26-year-old.

“I wanted him to have a positive energy. He was down two sets to one, but was up in the fourth. And I felt like the power was pretty bad where the line was,” Russell said shortly after midnight Saturday morning. “I wanted to try to give Taylor more energy from myself and the team and always give him that positive feedback to lift him up.

“The crowd wanted, I want to say, that, a little more Frances than Taylor, for sure. So by looking around and seeing us every now and then we give those who are standing shoulder and encouragement and motivation to keep going strong and keep fighting like she always does. sometimes a very small percentage can give you motivation more and more strength to keep fighting.

“It worked well. He was able to take out the fourth set, and his level went up and he continued to go up in that fifth set.”

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^{Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images}
Since the team is happy with Fritz, the job is not done. They are completely focused on putting their player in a position to become the first American man to win a major singles title since Roddick at the US Open in 2003.

“It’s all about recovery. Apparently, tonight will be a little later. So it’s all about the ice bath that he’s doing, he’s doing soft tissue [work]good nutrition, good sleep, making sure all of that is enough,” said Russell. “And once that’s taken care of, we’ll be practicing a little bit tomorrow afternoon, and then we’ll start talking about strategies and tactics for Sunday’s game.”

Fritz knows he will face a tough challenge against Jannik Sinner, the number 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Italian won his first major title earlier this year at the Australian Open.

Russell’s career took off quickly. Before leaving the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the former World No. 60 was already thinking about the pictures he was going to look at and the figures he was going to look at when he got back to the hotel.

“The sooner, the better for me. That’s just how my brain begins to process information. “I like being fresh and just being able to strategize and get the ball rolling,” Russell said. “Therefore, tomorrow in the exams, we will be able to talk about tricks and tactics. I can find out what Taylor’s thoughts are and compare them to what I think. And we can have a good relationship. “

Russell explained that he planned to talk to Fritz about tactics as soon as they got in their car to the venue on Saturday afternoon and when he was on the treatment table with physiotherapist Wolfgang Oswald.

Fritz split the previous two Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings with Sinner. Both reached Indian Wells, where the Italians won their last meeting in 2023. Sinner defeated Fritz in the quarter-finals 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

“I remember that Taylor played well. It was really windy that day, and Jannik did a great job of being able to really punish Taylor against the wind. “Taylor struggled to create a lot of power against the wind, and that was kind of the difference in the third set,” Russell said. “Jannik managed to score a few good points on that side against the wind. But they had a great game.

“Jannik is a great striker. He’s serving well, it’s obvious he’s coming in with a lot of confidence. That being said, Taylor will have a lot of crowd support. He really needs to do that for him and pick up his power game. He’s going to have the speed to work with him, with Jannik, and just make him uncomfortable and feel just the presence of Taylor and the crowd and the support of all of America. Just create a really uncomfortable environment.”

Sinner across the net on Sunday will not be the same player Fritz faced last March. At the time, Sinner was World No. 13. He is now the number one player in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

“He worships a lot. He has strengthened his first and second ministry. I think he’s a great player,” said Russell. “He can come in. His transition game has improved, and his body has improved. He can withstand long matches, and his body has not deteriorated like it used to. So he is a complete player.

“But again, Taylor is playing very well, and her game is more complete than it was six months ago. He’s moving forward better, he’s more explosive, and he’s going to have to go out and do those same things on Sunday.”

What will it take for Fritz to upset Sinner and win the US Open?

“He must work well. He must be aggressive. He has to stay in the moment, use the support of the crowd, use the power,” said Russell. “If there is an opportunity, [he needs to] play controlled, aggressive tennis, and look to finish points at the net when he can. Just get ready for another fight and compete like he always does.”