After stunning the No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal on Monday, Frances Tiafoe defeated the No. 9-seeded Andrey Rublev in straight sets on Wednesdays to advance to the US Open semifinals, the first American to do so since 2006.
Frances Tiafoe shocks tennis world by defeating Rafael Nadal
American Frances Tiafoe, ranked No. 22, completely stunned the tennis world on Monday when he defeated No. 2 seeded Rafael Nadal of Spain on Monday and reached the US Open quarterfinals for the first time, ESPN reported.
Tiafoe won the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 over Nadal in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
The victory was a shocker for many tennis fans as Tiafoe ended Nadal's 22-match Grand Slam-winning streak. It also ended another streak for Nadal–16 straight majors reaching the quarterfinals or better.
Tiafoe advances to US Open Semifinals
On Wednesday, Frances Tiafoe delivered a powerful performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, with his fast and furious play on full display.
Tiafoe had 18 aces in the match, which had the crowd roaring. He defeated the No. 9-seeded Andrey Rublev of Russia in straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0), 6-4 in the men's quarterfinal, ABC reported.
"I love to show the world what I can do," said the 24-year-old Tiafoe after the victory, wearing Serena Williams' GOAT sweatshirt, ESPN reported. "I just want to go out there and try to give the crowd what they want -- and that's me getting the win."
Tiafoe will face the No. 3 seed, 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz Garfia of Spain in a semifinal match at noon on Friday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Tiafoe makes history
Frances Tiafoe made history with his victory on Wednesday, becoming the first American man to advance to the US Open semifinals since 2006, and also the first Black man to do so since Arthur Ashe in 1972
It is also a personal best for 24-year-old Tiafoe. This will be his first Grand Slam semifinal trip of his career, ESPN reported.
It's been sixteen years since an American men's player reached the semifinals when Andy Roddick did so in 2006. Roddick advanced to the finals, where he was defeated by Roger Federer.
Who Is Frances Tiafoe?
Tiafoe is the son of Sierra Leone immigrants who fled from a war in the West African nation in the 1990s and settled in Maryland. Tiafoe's father worked as a maintenance man at College Park's Junior Tennis Champions Center. This gave Frances access to the tennis facility and coaches. Frances developed a deep love for the sport that has obviously paid off!