US Open Quarterfinals LIVE: Frances Tiafoe has become the first American man in 16 years to enter the semifinal at the US Open as he defeated ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the quarterfinal on Wednesday. He will now either face Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner in the semifinals on Friday. Follow US Open 2022 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
US Open Quarterfinals LIVE: Frances Tiafoe defeats Andrey Rublev in straight sets in US Open quarterfinal – Check Highlights
FRANCES TIAFOE HAS DONE IT pic.twitter.com/V0dnN5eXHz
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2022
“This is wild, this is crazy,” Tiafoe said. “I had the biggest win of my life 24 hours ago and coming out and getting another big win… Andrey’s a hell of a player, and to back it up, that’s huge. It’s tough to turn the page, but I did and now I’m in the semis. I feel so at home on courts like this. This court is unbelievable. [The crowd] gets so far behind me, I want to play, I want to give my best. I always find a way somehow on this court, I always play some great tennis and I have been. Let’s enjoy this, we’ve got two more.”
Tiafoe took control of his third tour-level meeting with Rublev by raising his game on a big ocassion. The American was too good as the much higher ranked Rublev could not break the 24-year old as he did not carve out a single break point opportunity. The American’s strategy of moving forward to pressure the ninth seed on the baseline was particularly effective, and he ended the match having won 76 per cent (31/41) of points at the net.
The first two sets went into the tie-break with the American winning it finally, adding frustration on Rublev. Rublev showed his anger on the court as he whacked his racket after an ace from the American flew past him. In the third set Tiafoe took one crucial break and went on to win the match in straight sets much to the delight of the roaring crown on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Tiafoe advanced to play the winner of Wednesday night’s heavyweight NextGenATP battle between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
“I’ll sit back and watch them battle and I’m keeping my feet up, so let them battle all night hopefully,” joked Tiafoe when asked if he would watch Alcaraz and Sinner’s quarter-final clash. “But [they are] two great players, and it’s going to be tough come Friday, but I’m here for all they’ve got.”
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