Frances Tiafoe reached the 2026 US Open semifinals after an extraordinary comeback against Alex Michelsen, winning 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) in a quarterfinal that lasted 4 hours and 38 minutes on Tuesday at Flushing Meadows. The 28-year-old American trailed by two sets and was down 0-3 in the decider before pulling off one of the most dramatic reversals in tournament history.
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A match that seemed lost
Michelsen, ranked 46th and unbeaten in sets through the first four rounds, controlled the opening two sets with impressive composure. The 21-year-old even served for the match at 5-4 in the third set. Tiafoe, visibly frustrated, received a warning for racket abuse as his campaign appeared to be slipping away.
The third-set turning point
Tiafoe found his fight at the very edge of elimination. Saving match points in the third set, he flipped the momentum entirely, then stormed through the fourth set 6-3. In the fifth, trailing 0-3 once more, he refused to surrender, winning the super tiebreak 10-6 to send Arthur Ashe Stadium into a frenzy.
Back in the semis four years on
Tiafoe returns to the US Open semifinals for the first time since 2022, when he fell to Carlos Alcaraz at the same stage. "He should have easily won today," Tiafoe admitted after the match, paying tribute to his compatriot's performance.
Key numbers
The all-American quarterfinal delivered on every promise across nearly five hours of relentless tennis. Tiafoe will face the winner of Carlos Alcaraz versus Ben Shelton in the semifinals, with their match scheduled for Wednesday evening at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Three Americans reached the quarterfinals this year, a first since 1995. (Source: TAG24, Yahoo Sports)
