New York, Sept 2 (HT) : Frances Tiafoe has advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open for the third consecutive year, overcoming Alexei Popyrin in a thrilling four-set match. Tiafoe, seeded 20th, triumphed with scores of 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3, showcasing his resilience against the Australian player who had previously stunned the tournament by defeating Novak Djokovic.
The match took place on the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Tiafoe captivated the crowd with his dynamic play. Despite a shaky moment in the second set where Popyrin led 5-2 and held three set points, Tiafoe rallied back to take the set into a tiebreak, ultimately seizing control of the match. The turning point came when Tiafoe capitalized on Popyrin’s double faults, allowing him to secure a two-set lead.
Popyrin, who had entered the match with significant momentum after his victory over Djokovic, displayed moments of brilliance but faltered at crucial junctures. His performance included a strong third set, but he could not maintain that level, succumbing to Tiafoe’s pressure in the fourth set. Tiafoe’s victory was marked by an electric atmosphere, with fans rallying behind him as he closed out the match in just over three hours.
Looking ahead, Tiafoe is set to face Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals, aiming to match his best Grand Slam performance. This achievement places Tiafoe among elite company, as he becomes the first American man to reach the US Open quarterfinals for three straight years since Andy Roddick from 2006 to 2008.