Frances Tiafoe advanced to the US Open semi-finals for the second time in three years on Tuesday after Grigor Dimitrov withdrew due to a leg injury in the fourth set. Tiafoe was cruising and appeared to be two games away from winning the match as he led 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1.
“Obviously it’s not how I wanted to qualify, but I’m obviously happy to get through it. Another semi-final here, incredible,” he said in his post-match interview. -match as the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd cheered. “It was a really high-level match.”
Tiafoe will face Taylor Fritz on Friday in the first all-American semifinal at the US Open since Robby Ginepri faced Andre Agassi in 2005. Both are trying to become the first American to win a major since Andy Roddick in 2003. he hasn’t reached a major final of the year since 2009.
It was clear early in the evening how competitive the match would be. The third game of the first set lasted about 10 minutes, which Dimitrov won to take a 2-1 lead. Tiafoe had yet to hit a winner. The American nevertheless remained calm and eventually found a good rhythm. He was patient but aggressive while doing a good job attacking Dimitrov’s second serve and scoring two break points, including one to win the set.
Tiafoe took a 2-1 lead in the second set with his first ace of the match, but things started to click for Dimitrov. An hour passed in the second set and the Bulgarian star forced a tie-break. Dimitrov had a 6-3 lead before committing consecutive double faults to help Tiafoe come back. Tiafoe did the same and gave the set to his opponent.
Tiafoe won the next set while Dimitrov didn’t look 100%. He limped off the field before the fourth and it looked like that would be it for him. He came back but didn’t look much better physically.
Tiafoe won the next three matches with ease before Dimitrov joined the picture. After winning that fourth game, he crouched briefly and appeared to look at his left foot. Tiafoe won the next match and Dimitrov decided it was better to end the match early.
Tiafoe didn’t have a big celebration while remaining respectful to his opponent, but during his post-match interview, he shared how excited he was to be able to face Fritz, a longtime friend, in semis. -final.
“It’s the biggest match of my life with Taylor. We’ve known each other for so long… To be able to play him here in the biggest arena, in one of the biggest matches in the world, it’s going to be awesome.” . I can’t be more excited. I’m going to give everything I have.”
