Sometimes the hardest thing is not the exploit itself, but the game after. Frances Tiafoe did not fall into the trap. The American, who beat Rafael Nadal in the round of 16, qualified for the US Open on Wednesday for his first semi-final of a Grand Slam tournament by beating Russian Andrey Rublev in three tie sets (7-6 , 7-6, 6-4).
“It’s crazy, to win another big victory (after Nadal), against such a difficult player,” commented Tiafoe before leaving the Arthur-Ashe court. At 24, his best result in a Major was a quarter-final played at the Australian Open in 2019. He will try to reach the final at Flushing Meadows on Friday by facing the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (4th) or the Italian Jannik Sinner (13th), who compete this Thursday morning (French time).
“I feel like home, this court is incredible, everyone pushes me, I have to give the best of myself. I take advantage of these moments, but there are two games left. It will be hard, let Alcaraz and Sinner fight, but I’m ready, against anyone. »
Against Rublev, who was playing his sixth Major quarter-final (the third in New York), neither player gave up his face-off until 3-3 in the third set when Tiafoe scored the break and then saved two break points to break away 5-3. The American served for the match at 5-4 and concluded with an ace.