Frances Tiafoe knows this stage of the US Open, preparing for a highly anticipated semi-final match. He has been here twice before, with the bright lights and a chance at making his first major final.
But as the 28-year-old prepares for his third semi-final appearance in New York, this one feels different, Tiafoe explained.
“I'm just a different person in general. Those two runs were great, something I will cherish forever, but I'm not that person who I was when I made one in 2022 and when I made one in '24,” the 11th seed said in his post-match press conference Tuesday. “I'm not that person. I'm excited to see what this me does come Friday.”
To book his place in the last four, Tiafoe needed a dramatic 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10/6) quarter-final win over his countryman Alex Michelsen.
By reaching the semi-finals stage at Flushing Meadows for the third time, Tiafoe became the first American man since Andre Agassi (2002–03, 2005) to achieve that feat this century. How does Tiafoe feel compared to his 2022 and 2024 run?
“I just feel where my feet are. I'm pumped about it. I'm super excited about it, but I don't feel like it's — of course, I mean, this is a crazy match, so of course I'm extremely pumped up, but I don't feel like it's, ‘Oh, my God!’” I just want to continue,” explained the No. 8 player in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. “I just want to keep going. I have higher hopes for myself.”
Tiafoe was on the brink of defeat against the 22-year-old Michelsen, who led by two sets to love and served for the match at 5-4 in the third set. Tiafoe roared back and sealed an epic victory after four hours and 38 minutes. The pair shared a warm embrace at net, with Michelsen crying on Tiafoe's shoulder in a raw moment of emotion.
“It was definitely a Braveheart-type win,” said Tiafoe, who completed his third comeback win from two sets to love down at a major (2024 Wimbledon R1 v. Arnaldi, 2026 Roland Garros R3 v. Faria). “It ranks pretty high in probably all-time wins in a slam. I don't know where, but it ranks pretty high.”
Tiafoe’s win was a testament of his resilience and one of tennis’ greatest peculiarities: There is no time limit.
“Three out of five is a blessing, because you have time to get it together. I definitely waited for the last minute,” said Tiafoe with a smile. “You see a little opening window, you see turning points. One point and all of a sudden you're, four hours later, in a battle just because of one point. Tennis is a unique sport like that.”
Holding a 42-16 season record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Tiafoe next meets two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz or fellow American star Ben Shelton.
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