The No. 22 seed Frances Tiafoe advances to the 2022 US Open semifinals after overthrowing No. 9 seed Andrey Rublev 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0), 6-4, in straight sets at the US Open quarterfinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
With his victory, he became the first American since Andy Roddick in 2006 to reach the tournament’s semifinals. Tiafoe was in his second Grand Slam quarterfinal prior to his match with Rublev, having defeated the 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in four sets in the Round of 16.
“Man, this is wild,” Tiafoe said during his press conference. “This is crazy. Having the biggest win of my life 24 hours ago and coming out and getting another big win.”
“I feel so at home on courts like this. This court is unbelievable. You guys get so far behind me, I want to play. I want to get my best.”
The 24-year-old did not forget to give his opponent credits after a tough game on Wednesday.
“Andrey is a hell of a player, so to back it up is huge growth. It’s tough to turn the page but I did. And now I’m in the semis,” the young American added.
Tiafoe vs Rublev
The match started slowly at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Rublev pausing to take a hold of serve before Tiafoe nearly unraveled from a 40-0 lead in the second game.
With Tiafoe serving at 3-2, the 24-year-old was pushed to deuce so many times that the umpire and scoreboard lost track of the score, and a breakpoint was incorrectly called. Tiafoe served a variety of intriguing shots while Rublev was frequently on the back foot. He was, however, unable to locate the break.
Rublev was 6-5 up with the set on serve when Tiafoe threw a sluggish forehand into the net, giving Rublev a chance to take control.
Tiafoe, however, kept the game alive with a laser-like crosscourt forehand before surging ahead and forcing a tiebreaker in which Tiafoe dominated right away, winning the breaker 7-3 with his second set point to take the first set 7-6.
The second set played out the same way as the first, with neither player relenting on their serves and no clear indication of a lunge for the first eight games. With Tiafoe aiming for a 5-4 lead, Rublev put pressure on Tiafoe’s serve, he fought back with a decisive ace, before he let his opponent put his next forehand just long.
The second set was forced into a tiebreak due to the lack of a serve break. After seven straight points, Tiafoe had moved within a set of his first major semifinal presence.
Tiafoe in Grand Slam
Tiafoe’s victory over Rublev was celebrated with a little dance that had the audience roaring. For his first Grand Slam title, Tiafoe will play either Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz on Friday night.
“Tough to turn the page, but I did and now I’m in the semis. I always find a way somehow on this court,” Tiafoe said. “Let’s enjoy this one — we’ve got two more, guys. Two more. “
He was asked if he would watch Sinner or Alcaraz game later on Wednesday, to which he replied, “I’ll sit back and watch them battle.”
“While they have had a late night, I’ll be kicking the feet up. Let them battle all night hopefully.”
Tiafoe is the first African-American man to reach the semifinals of the US Open since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Furthermore, Tiafoe has the chance to end the Americans’ 74-major-title drought. Since Roddick in 2003, no American has won the US Open.
Frances Tiafoe becomes the first Black 🇺🇸 man to reach a #USOpen semifinal since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
He did it on the court named after Ashe. #BeOpen pic.twitter.com/IEJtqCe2vo
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2022