11th seed Frances Tiafoe mounted an incredible comeback against US compatriot Alex Michelsen. Battling back from two sets down, Tiafoe fought for four hours and 40 minutes to produce one of the matches of the US Open this year, winning 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6).
The incredible comeback produced one of the best moments of the US Open this year. With his nerves shot after letting a two-set lead slip away, 22-year-old Michelsen broke down in tears as Tiafoe celebrated his win on the other side of the court.
Seeing an inconsolable Michelsen weep in front of the crowd, Tiafoe dropped his racket, cut short his celebration, and rushed to hug his opponent. The long embrace, followed by a few words of comfort, perhaps brought some solace to the young American, who had produced his deepest run at a Grand Slam.
The images from the exchange quickly spread across social media.
But behind the emotional moment was a brutal five-set battle that saw Michelsen come within touching distance of the biggest win of his career before Tiafoe produced an extraordinary fightback.
Michelsen had flown somewhat under the radar during his deepest run at a major, but earned plenty of respect on the biggest stage of American tennis. The 22-year-old fired 21 aces and looked firmly in control for much of the contest, putting Tiafoe under pressure from the very beginning.
Tiafoe, meanwhile, struggled to find his rhythm at Arthur Ashe Stadium despite thriving at his beloved Louis Armstrong Stadium earlier in the tournament.
He hit just four winners compared to Michelsen’s 15 in the opening set before handing over the critical break on set point. Michelsen then did some of his best work at the net in the second set, earning another decisive break with a fine backhand strike.
The unseeded American had the momentum and was suddenly just one set away from the biggest victory of his career.
It got even better for Michelsen at the start of the third set.
TIAFOE MAKES MEGA-COMEBACK
He broke Tiafoe in the opening game and moved to within touching distance of the semi-finals. But just when the pressure of the occasion began to creep in, Tiafoe found a way back.
Michelsen was serving for the match at 5-4 when his nerves took over. Two double faults handed Tiafoe the opening he had been waiting for, and the 11th seed converted the break point to level the set at 5-5.
Suddenly, the match had changed.
Tiafoe slammed his foot on the gas and broke again on set point after surviving a cat-and-mouse exchange. He then carried that momentum into the fourth set, winning the first three games as he raised his level across the board.
Michelsen, who had appeared to have the match under control, was now fighting simply to stay alive.
The two Americans saved their best tennis for the deciding set.
The final set became a nerve-searing battle, with neither player willing to give the other an opening. After four hours and 40 minutes of tennis, it came down to a tiebreak.
Tiafoe eventually prevailed 7-6(6), completing one of the finest comebacks of his career and reaching the US Open semi-finals for the third time.
For Michelsen, the defeat was devastating.
He had reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final and pushed one of the tournament’s most experienced American players to the brink. But after coming so close to a semi-final berth, the 22-year-old struggled to contain his emotions.
That was when Tiafoe turned his attention away from his own victory.
Rather than prolonging his celebrations, he walked towards Michelsen and wrapped his arms around his devastated compatriot. The moment lasted long enough for the two to exchange a few words, with Tiafoe trying to console a player who had just suffered an agonising defeat.
“I don’t think anyone else could have made me cry in that moment, to be honest,” Michelsen said afterwards.
“Frances, he’s such a good guy and he said a lot of personal things and just kind of got to me.”
The gesture meant even more because Tiafoe knows exactly what it feels like to walk away from a Grand Slam after a crushing five-set defeat.
The American exited Wimbledon and Roland Garros this year after five-set sagas, giving him a particular understanding of the pain Michelsen was experiencing.
“I understand the moment,” Tiafoe said.
“He was definitely crying on my shoulders. Yeah, we just had some words for each other, and that was it.”
For Michelsen, it was a heartbreaking end to the best Grand Slam run of his career. For Tiafoe, it was another trip to the US Open semi-finals.
But long after the scoreline is forgotten, it may be the image of Tiafoe walking across the court to embrace his tearful opponent that stays with those who watched this extraordinary night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Tiafoe will next face either eighth seed Ben Shelton or defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the final.
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