Tiafoe, Michelsen share emotional moment after US Open thriller - ESPN

NEW YORK — Frances Tiafoe knew Alex Michelsen needed a shoulder to cry on.

So after handing his fellow American a crushing defeat in the US Open quarterfinals Tuesday, Tiafoe held Michelsen in a long embrace while the 22-year-old sobbed on his shoulder.

«I really like Alex,» Tiafoe said. «I really, really do, and I just wanted to come up there and just dap him up. I didn't think it was going to be as long as it was, but I understand the moment. He was definitely crying on my shoulders. Yeah, we just had some words for each other, and that was it.»

Michelsen was playing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal and was a few points from winning it after taking the first two sets. The No. 11-seeded Tiafoe came back to win 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6), starting his turnaround after Michelsen failed to serve out the match with a 5-4 lead in the third set.

Michelsen said he didn't speak much when they met at the net.

«I was trying to keep it together and I didn't do a good job of that,» Michelsen said. «He was saying a lot of nice personal things. 'You'll be there. When I'm older, you're going to be here, and we're going to play it again in this type of circumstance.' All that good stuff. He's a great guy for consoling me in that moment.»

This was the third pro match between the two, with Tiafoe winning both previous encounters. Michelsen said after his fourth-round victory that Tiafoe was an «unbelievable guy and a very good friend of mine,» and said similar after Tuesday's defeat.

«I don't think anyone else could have made me cry in that moment, to be honest,» Michelsen said.

Tiafoe, 28, is one of the leaders of American men's tennis and a fan favorite at the US Open, where he has reached his third semifinal. He said Sunday in