The home favorite Frances Tiafoe is a man on the mission at his beloved US Open. The American dropped one set against Marcos Giron, Jason Kubler, Diego Schwartzman, Rafael Nadal and Andrey Rublev to advance into his first Major semi-final.
Thus, Tiafoe became the first American in the last four at the home Major since Andy Roddick in 2006! Frances met Andrey Rublev in the quarter-final and scored a 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 triumph in two hours and 36 minutes to remain on the title course and set the clash against Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz.
Tiafoe blasted 18 aces and played better behind the first and second serve. The American took 21 points more than the Russian and defended all four break points. Rublev gave his best to stay in touch and prolong the battle. He fell in the opening two sets in the tie break and experienced a lone break in the third to propel Tiafoe through despite giving his everything.
Frances Tiafoe is the first-time US Open semi-finalist.
Frances blasted 46 winners and 38 unforced errors, playing better when it mattered the most and giving his partisan crowd something to cheer about. The servers made a strong start and produced five comfortable holds in the opener for 3-2 in 17 minutes.
Tiafoe faced the first issues behind the initial shot in game six and survived it to level the score at 3-3. Rublev served at 5-5 and saved a break point to send the pressure to the other side. Frances defended a set point in game 12 with a powerful forehand and introduced a tie break.
Tiafoe forged a 5-2 advantage and earned four set points in the next one. The American cracked an ace at 6-3 to seal the opener in 57 minutes and gain a massive boost. Rublev won only five points on the return in the second set, and the pressure was on him to follow those numbers.
Andrey followed that pace and produced six comfortable holds to introduce a tie break. Frances grabbed all seven points and cracked a backhand crosscourt return winner at 6-0 to clinch the set and open a massive advantage ahead of the third.
Tiafoe stroke another backhand return winner for two break chances at 1-1. Rublev denied them and brought the game home for escape and 2-1. Frances produced the decisive break at 3-3 when his rival sent a routine backhand out.
The American fended off two break points in the next one, canceling the second with a beautiful volley winner at the net and forging a 5-3 advantage. Rublev served to stay in the match in game nine and clinched a fine hold to reduce the deficit.
Tiafoe was not to be denied, though, cracking an ace down the T line in game ten to emerge at the top and stay in contention for a massive title.
