Frances Tiafoe, the 11th seed, eliminated seventh-seeded Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, in the fourth round of the US Open 2026 with a 7-6(1), 6-4, 7-6(6) victory. The 28-year-old American snapped a run of six consecutive losses against the Russian to reach the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows.
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A long-awaited breakthrough against Medvedev
Tiafoe had managed just one win in seven previous meetings with Medvedev, a lopsided record that made the American the underdog despite the roaring New York crowd behind him. On Louis Armstrong Stadium, Tiafoe imposed his game from the opening set, dominating the tiebreak 7-1 with sharp volleying and aggressive net approaches. Medvedev struggled badly on his second serve throughout the match, winning just 37% of those points, a dismal figure for a player of his caliber.
Nerves of steel when it mattered most
After converting the decisive break in the second set to take it 6-4, Tiafoe found himself under pressure in the third. Medvedev, with his back against the wall, pushed the American to another tiebreak. At 6-6 in the breaker, Tiafoe produced a sensational backhand passing shot to earn match point before sealing the deal with a service winner. Nearly three hours of battle for a straight-sets victory that will rank among the finest of his career.
Three Americans in the quarters, a first since 1995
The win sends Tiafoe into an all-American quarterfinal against Alex Michelsen, who defeated Tomas Etcheverry in the fourth round. On the other side of the draw, Ben Shelton also reached the last eight. Three American men in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam is a first since the 1995 US Open. Flushing Meadows is now dreaming of a first American men's Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick lifted the trophy here in 2003. (Sources: ATP Tour, ESPN, CBS Sports)
