Frances Tiafoe shocks Rafael Nadal in US Open fourth-round thriller

06.09.2022 - 03:29 theguardian.com

Frances Tiafoe took an enormous step towards fulfilling his great potential as he pulled off by far the biggest win of his career, upsetting the second seed Rafael Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the US Open quarter-finals for the first time in his career.

In front of a rowdy home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 22nd seed became the first man to beat Nadal on court in a grand slam this year.

It also marks the first time since Wimbledon 2017 that Nadal has lost before the quarter-final of a grand slam. “I don’t even know what to say right now.

I’m beyond happy, I’m almost in tears,” said Tiafoe afterwards. “I can’t believe it. He’s definitely one of the greatest of all time.

tennis rowing Rafael Nadal France Usa county Arthur county Ashe

Rafael Nadal has opened up about his special relationship with Roger Federer after the Swiss superstar retired from professional tennis at the Laver Cup. Federer and Nadal suffered an agonising and dramatic 4-6 7-6(2) 11-9 defeat to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the O2 Arena in London on Friday night in what was a hugely emotional occasion.

Laver Cup 2022, Roger Federer And Rafael Nadal vs Jack Sock And Frances Tiafoe LIVE: Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer Break Back vs Frances Tiafoe-Jack Sock To Level Things

Laver Cup 2022 Live Updates: Tennis legend Roger Federer final professional match got underway as he teamed up with Rafael Nadal for Team Europe to take on Team World's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in a doubles match in the Laver Cup. Nadal and Federer took the first set 6-4 after breaking Tiafoe's serve in the 10th game. Federer had last week announced the Laver Cup would be his final professional tournament. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, dogged by a knee injury, has not played since the 2021 Wimbledon quarter-finals and last week announced his retirement at the age of 41. The Swiss great has enjoyed a storied rivalry with the Spaniard over nearly two decades and together they have won 42 Grand Slam singles titles in a golden era for the men's game. The pair played 40 times, including in nine Grand Slam finals, with Nadal holding a 24-16 winning record, but this time they will be on the same side of the net in the Ryder Cup-style event. The six-strong Team Europe also includes Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray -- the other two members of the so-called "Big Four" -- in a fitting climax to Federer's career.

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Frances Tiafoe has replaced John Isner as part of Team World for the 2022 Laver Cup. The US Open semi-finalist replaces his fellow American after Isner was forced to withdraw from the event due to a wrist injury. Ad Tiafoe competed at the inaugural Laver Cup in 2017, playing in the tournament's opening match, and 2018, but has missed out on the last two editions of the event.

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Carlos Alcaraz became the world number one on Sunday night after clinching his first Grand Slam title at the age of just 19 years old, downing Casper Ruud in four sets.

Carlos Alcaraz beats Frances Tiafoe in five-set thriller to reach US Open final

Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from a maiden grand slam title – and the world No 1 ranking – after outlasting Frances Tiafoe of the United States in a sensational five-set US Open semi-final on Friday night.