Frances Tiafoe took down Andrey Rublev in straight units Wednesday in the course of the US Open quarterfinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium, changing into the primary American man to make the event’s semifinals since Andy Roddick in 2006. The 24-year-old from Maryland can be the primary African-American man to make the US Open semifinals since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
The No. 22 seed Tiafoe claimed a 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0), 6-4 victory over the No. 9 seed Rublev. This was Tiafoe’s second profession Grand Slam quarterfinal, and he entered it with confidence and momentum after upsetting Rafael Nadal in 4 units in the course of the Round of 16. That was not a small feat, as Nadal went into that match with 22 consecutive Grand Slam victories, having made no less than the quarterfinal of every of the final 16 majors he participated in for the reason that 2017 US Open.
“Man, that is wild. This is loopy,” Tiafoe stated throughout his post-match interview. “Having the most important win of my life 24 hours in the past and popping out and getting one other massive win.”
After the win over Rublev, Tiafoe had the group roaring as he celebrated by doing slightly dance.
Although Rublev stored it shut and was in a position to take the primary two units to tiebreaks, he wasn’t in a position to cease Tiafoe, who’s now 6-0 in tiebreakers at this yr’s US Open. Rublev was visibly annoyed, significantly in the course of the second tiebreaker — which Tiafoe dominated 7-0 — and reacted by slamming the racket towards his knees. He hit the racket so laborious that he needed to swap it out.
Tiafoe is presently chasing his first Grand Slam title, and though he’s enthusiastic about how far he has made it in New York, he is aware of the job will not be carried out but. He will tackle both Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz on Friday evening.
Tiafoe has an opportunity to finish a protracted drought for the Americans, who’ve gone 74 consecutive majors and not using a title in a males’s competitors — the longest dropping streak in U.S. tennis historical past. No American man has received the US Open since Roddick took the title in 2003. The strain is on Tiafoe, however he appears to be prepared for the problem.
“Tough to show the web page, however I did and now I’m within the semis. I all the time discover a approach one way or the other on this courtroom,” Tiafoe stated. “Let’s take pleasure in this one — we have two extra, guys. Two extra.”
