American Frances Tiafoe earns 3rd consecutive US Open quarterfinals berth with victory over Alexei Popyrin

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For the third year, Frances Tiafoe will be returning to the U.S. Open quarterfinals.

The 26-year-old defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 on Sunday night to advance.

With the win, Tiafoe is the first American man to reach three consecutive U.S. Open quarterfinals since Andy Roddick did so from 2006-2008.

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Frances Tiafoe reacts to a winner in the 4th set against Alexei Popyrin on day seven of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

Tiafoe lost to the eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals in 2022 and lost to fellow American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals last year. 

However, Tiafoe avenged his loss to Shelton by defeating him at this year’s tournament in a thrilling five-set match. 

The turning point in Tiafoe’s victory on Sunday was during the second set. 

"I think the second set was a huge, huge win for me," Tiafoe said. "You know, 5-3, 40-love, him serving, how good he serves, that was really, really big. To break there and then to win that set was huge."

Tiafoe rallied down 5-3 to make it 5-5 and sent the set into a tiebreak, which he eventually won. 

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Alexei Popyrin of Australia serves to Frances Tiafoe of the United States during the fourth round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024 in New York City. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Popyrin, the no. 28 seed from Australia, was disappointed with how he played in the second set. 

"Definitely a lost opportunity," Popyrin said. "I’ve been saying all week