NEW YORK >> Taylor Fritz got choked up when it hit him that he had reached the U.S. Open final.

His explanation: “I cry at happy endings of movies and not at sad stuff. That’s kind of just how I am.”

Imagine what the 26-year-old Californian’s reaction would be if he actually were to take home the trophy by beating No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy on Sunday in Arthur Ashe Stadium. That would make Fritz the first American man to collect a Grand Slam title in 21 years.

“I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win,” the 12th-seeded Fritz said Friday night after coming back to get past another American, Frances Tiafoe, in five sets to reach a major final for the first time. “When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”

How big a deal is it that Fritz will even be competing at Flushing Meadows on the last weekend of the tournament?

The last time a U.S. man played in any major final was in 2009, when Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon. The last time a U.S. man played in the U.S. Open final was 2006, when Roddick couldn’t get past — yes, of course — Federer. The last time a U.S. man did manage to win a Slam was in 2003, when Roddick defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero.

“I would love nothing more,” Roddick said on his podcast, “than for an American to win on Sunday. ... I get this anxious feeling every time they have to answer for it.”

It is, indeed, quite a drought for a country that produced so many champions through the decades.

A son of two ex-pros — his mother, Kathy May, was ranked in the top 10 and reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open and the French Open — Fritz first picked up a racket at age 2. Tiafoe, a good friend who’s known Fritz since they were 12 or 13, said the changes since that are remarkable.

“When I first met him, Taylor was an odd cat, different cat. I mean, I definitely wasn’t thinking he was going to do what he’s done,” Tiafoe said. “He’s changed his body unbelievably. He’s just really talented. He was a part-time player; he played couple times of week; had a court at his house. He’ll tell you, he went to a normal high school. He was just a normal kid, while we’re out there grinding. Then he started putting more time into it.”

Armed with a terrific serve and forehand, and working to improve other aspects of his game, Fritz said he likes the matchup against Sinner. They’ve split two previous meetings.

“I feel like I always hit the ball really nice off of his ball,” Fritz said. “I typically play well against him.”