Frances Tiafoe shocks Rafael Nadal in thriller to reach US Open quarter-finals against Andrey Rublev

Frances Tiafoe caused a huge upset as he beat second seed Rafael Nadal in a thrilling fourth-round clash at the US Open. Tiafoe hit 49 winners on his way to a 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3 victory over the four-time champion. Ad The result blows the men’s draw wide open with the top two seeds – Daniil Medvedev and Nadal – now out along with fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

US Open‘Rafa is going to be the guy’ — McEnroe backs Nadal to top world rankings once more7 HOURS AGO Tiafoe faces Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals after he beat British No.1 Cameron Norrie in straight sets. «I don’t even know what to say,» said Tiafoe in his on-court interview. «I am beyond happy, I can’t believe it.

He is one of the greatest of all time, I played unbelievable tennis today, I really don’t know what happened.» Despite the result Nadal will still return to world No. 1 after the US Open unless Carlos Alcaraz or Casper Ruud reach the final. Norrie beaten by Rublev in fourth round As it happened: Tiafoe stuns Nadal «I served really well at times,» Tiafoe told Eurosport.

«My percentage wasn’t high but at key moments I had some big serves. I moved well and was really aggressive. You have to thread the needle and play high risk otherwise you keep running like a yo-yo.» The American took advantage of some sloppy Nadal play and turned the tide in his favour early on as he struck first with a break midway through the opening set.