Frances Tiafoe continued his impressive run at the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals for the third time in his career. This accomplishment places him alongside tennis legends Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Pete Sampras as the only American men to achieve this feat since 2000.
Tiafoe, currently ranked 20th in the world, overcame a tough challenge from Alexei Popyrin in a thrilling four-set victory, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3. Popyrin had earlier made waves in the tournament by eliminating defending champion Novak Djokovic, showcasing his own impressive talent. Tiafoe will now face a seasoned opponent in Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Tiafoe wasn’t the only American player making headlines. Earlier that day, 26-year-old Taylor Fritz also secured his place in the quarter-finals after a victory over Casper Ruud. Another American, Tommy Paul, has a chance to join them, but he must overcome world number one Jannik Sinner in his upcoming match on Monday.
The last American man to win a Grand Slam title was Andy Roddick, who claimed the US Open in 2003. Tiafoe’s victory wasn’t a walk in the park, as he needed three match points to secure the win. Popyrin, on the other hand, lamented missing three set points in the second set.
This year’s US Open is shaping up to be a historic one for American men’s tennis. With three players reaching the quarter-finals, it’s the first time since 2003 that this feat has been accomplished. The future looks bright for American tennis as a new generation of players is making their mark on the world stage.
