For the third 12 months, Frances Tiafoe shall be returning to the U.S. Open quarterfinals.
The 26-year-old defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 on Sunday evening to advance.
With the win, Tiafoe is the primary American man to succeed in three consecutive U.S. Open quarterfinals since Andy Roddick did so from 2006-2008.
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Frances Tiafoe reacts to a winner within the 4th set towards Alexei Popyrin on day seven of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis match at USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Heart. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Tiafoe misplaced to the eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz within the semifinals in 2022 and misplaced to fellow American Ben Shelton within the quarterfinals final 12 months.
Nonetheless, Tiafoe avenged his loss to Shelton by defeating him at this 12 months’s match in an exciting five-set match.
The turning level in Tiafoe’s victory on Sunday was throughout the second set.
“I believe the second set was an enormous, big win for me,” Tiafoe mentioned. “You realize, 5-3, 40-love, him serving, how good he serves, that was actually, actually large. To interrupt there after which to win that set was big.”
Tiafoe rallied down 5-3 to make it 5-5 and despatched the set right into a tiebreak, which he ultimately gained.
REIGNING US OPEN CHAMP COCO GAUFF ELIMINATED IN ROUND OF 16
Alexei Popyrin of Australia serves to Frances Tiafoe of the US throughout the fourth spherical of the U.S. Open tennis match on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024 in New York Metropolis. (AP Picture/Adam Starvation)
Popyrin, the no. 28 seed from Australia, was disillusioned with how he performed within the second set.
“Undoubtedly a misplaced alternative,” Popyrin mentioned. “I’ve been saying all week that I believe towards these high gamers you need to take your possibilities when you’ve them. Clearly, 5-3, 40-Love up serving, it’s a very large choke from my finish.”
The Australian was recent off a serious upset over defending champion Novak Djokovic on Friday and, for the primary time in his profession, made it to the fourth spherical of a Grand Slam.
Popyrin stormed again and gained the third set convincingly, however Tiafoe by no means wavered and clinched victory within the fourth set.
Along with his victory, Tiafoe joined Taylor Fritz as one other American to make the quarterfinal.
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Frances Tiafoe in motion throughout his match towards Alexei Popyrin on day seven of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis match at USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Heart. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports activities)
“The whole lot is occurring when it’s meant to occur,” Tiafoe mentioned. “I’m glad it’s occurring now as a result of that is a very powerful time for me.”
Ought to fellow American Tommy Paul upset top-ranked Jannik Sinner on Monday, he would give the U.S. three males within the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows for the second consecutive 12 months.
Tiafoe will face no. 9 ranked Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday for a semifinal berth. Tiafoe is 1-3 towards Dimitrov in his profession.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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