Fritz got off to a positive start in front of a sold-out crowd, leading Arthur Ashe to a 3-0 lead over Tiafoe.
But Tiafoe, one of the most attractive players in the sport, adapted and won six of the next seven games to end the first set.
Fritz looked much more competitive in the second set, losing just one point on serve before breaking Tiafoe who was trying to force a tiebreak.
But Fritz’s momentum soon wore off.
Tiafoe broke in the opening game of the third set, and his powerful serve combined with impressive athleticism to take a two-set lead.
But the pressure was on. Serving at 4-5, Tiafoe double-faulted twice to go to deuce at 40-15, and two more blunders gave Fritz the set.
Tiafoe struggled to regain his momentum and Fritz, with the support of the crowd, went 4-0 ahead before his opponent could take another break.
But that wasn’t enough. Tiafoe was immediately down 0-40 on serve, and Fritz confidently served to win.
