Tiafoe Overcomes Michelsen in Thrilling US Open Match

9:19 AM ETDeveloping

Sports Desk

In Short: American Frances Tiafoe staged a remarkable comeback to defeat fellow American Alex Michelsen in a five-set thriller, securing his place in the US Open semifinals.

American Frances Tiafoe overcame a two-set deficit to beat fellow American Alex Michelsen in a thrilling five-set match, advancing to his third US Open semifinal in five years. The 28-year-old, who had been outplayed in the first half of the match, fought back from 5-3 down in the third set to secure a 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6) victory. Tiafoe, who has been praised for his renewed work ethic, will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton in the next round.

Michelsen, who was competing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final, was visibly emotional after the match, hugging Tiafoe at the net. 'He's a hell of a player and he easily could have won today. Shout out to Alex Michelsen,' said Tiafoe, acknowledging his opponent's efforts. The match, which lasted four hours and 38 minutes, was a testament to the resilience and skill of both players.

Former Grand Slam doubles champion Ryan Harrison highlighted Tiafoe's improvement, noting, 'This time last year he was losing matches because of his fitness, now here we are four hours and 40 minutes into a match and he's raining down the fastest serve of the match.' Tiafoe's journey to the semifinals has been marked by significant improvement, and he is now one win away from reaching the final at Flushing Meadows for the first time.

Meanwhile, in another exciting match, Ben Shelton outlasted Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller, advancing to the semifinals. The match, which lasted four hours and 28 minutes, saw Shelton hold his nerve in the final set tie-break to win with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-6) scoreline. Shelton will face Tiafoe in the last four, setting up the prospect of an American finalist for the first time since 2003.

What's still developing

Jessica Pegula has booked a third straight US Open face-off with Aryna Sabalenka, grinding out a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Emma Navarro to set up a semifinal clash with the two-time defending champion and the world’s top-ranked women’s player.
“It was really tough,” Pegula said after a match featuring nine breaks of serve.
In a final set of multiple breaks and swings of momentum, Tiafoe triumphed in the 10-point tie-break to win 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6 (10-6).
It was not until Michelsen was serving for the match at 5-4 that nerves began to hit.
"He's a great guy for consoling me in that moment," said Michelsen of their post-match embrace.
"For him to go through all that work, to fight to put himself in this position its great to see." While it has taken until now for Tiafoe's renewed work-ethic to bear fruit in a major, he is unequivocal when asked how he compares to the player that reached the last four previously in New York.
Unseeded Michelsen came into the match in fine form, having not dropped a set at the tournament prior to facing Tiafoe, and grasped the momentum in the first set.
After the pair traded breaks of serve early in the match, Michelsen got the deciding break at 6-5 in a set where he fired 15 winners to Tiafoe's four.

Sources

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