Frances Tiafoe earned one of the most memorable wins of his career Tuesday at the US Open, where he rallied from two sets to love down and erased a 0-3 deficit in the fifth set to outlast countryman Alex Michelsen in a thrilling quarter-final clash.
After losing the first two sets, Tiafoe staged a spirited comeback inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, notching a 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) win against Michelsen, who unsuccessfully served for the match at 5-4 in the third set and was unable to capitalise on his lead multiple times in the four-hour, 38-minute clash.
"I hope he gets tight," Tiafoe said of his mindset at 4-5 down in the third set. "He gave me some gifts, a couple of double faults there. But then I slowly started to get my rhythm there, snuck out the third set and slowly started playing better and better. But he is a hell of a player. He should've easily won today, so shout out Alex Michelsen."
Having previously reached the US Open semi-finals in 2022 and 2024, Tiafoe has now advanced to the stage at Flushing Meadows for a third time, becoming the first American man to do so since Andre Agassi (2002-03, 2005). The 28-year-old will next face his good friend and countryman Ben Shelton, who later upset 2025 champion and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7).
A major turning point for Tiafoe in Tuesday's clash came at 4-5 in the third set, when Michelsen, who had not dropped a set en route to the last eight, served for the match, aiming for another straight-sets triumph. But two double faults from the 22-year-old, who was aiming to reach his first major semi-final, helped Tiafoe break back for 5-5. Michelsen then saved a set point with an ace at 5-6 30/40 but was made to pay for failing to put away a smash as Tiafoe clinched his fourth game in a row to force a fourth set.
From then on, Tiafoe began swinging more freely, striking through the court and embracing the energy of the Arthur Ashe crowd. He clinched the fourth set before Michelsen responded again, racing to a 3-0 lead in the fifth set.
Yet Tiafoe refused to let the match go. He continued to remain steady in key moments, as Michelsen struggled, with the 11th seed eventually completing his comeback in the fifth set tie-break. Following his victory, Tiafoe raised his arms aloft in joy before consoling a visibly emotional Michelsen at the net.
"Everyone was sleeping in the first couple of hours and I was asleep with you all," Tiafoe joked following his win. "As it went along, the energy was incredible, as always. Thank you [to the crowd] for being there for me. I really appreciate that."
Michelsen finished having won more total points than Tiafoe (173-170), but it was the 11th seed who prevailed for a third time in as many Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings between the two players. The five-set battle produced a remarkable 40 break points, with both players breaking serve eight times in a fiercely contested match.
By reaching the semi-finals in New York for the third time in his career, Tiafoe, who started the year as World No. 30, has risen four spots to No. 8 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, meaning he is guaranteed to return to the Top 10 (for the first time since September 2023) in the post-US Open edition of the PIF ATP Rankings. The American, who began working with new coach Mark Kovacs late last year, has nicely rounded into form in recent months, having reached an ATP Masters 1000 final in Cincinnati.
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