USA Today via Reuters
Sep 5, 2022; Flushing, NY, USA; Frances Tiafoe of the United States reacts to defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain on day eight of the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 5, 2022; Flushing, NY, USA; Frances Tiafoe of the United States reacts to defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain on day eight of the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Frances Tiafoe is having a dream run at the ongoing US Open. The American star is into the quarterfinals of the tournament after a thrilling win over the Spanish legend, Rafael Nadal. Further, in a battle lasting three hours and 34 minutes in Arthur Ashe stadium, Tiafoe got the better of Nadal in a hard-fought contest. After his sensational win over Nadal, he received a special message from the NBA legend, LeBron James.
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It is Tiafoe’s best result at his ‘home’ Grand Slam tournament. Moreover, he has never gone past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament. Nonetheless, he is looking in great touch and has a glorious chance to dig deep in the tournament.
LeBron James lauds Frances Tiafoe after his special win over Rafael Nadal
James took to Twitter to congratulate Tiafoe on his biggest career victory. He said, “CONGRATS Young King!!! You earned it! @FTiafoe.” Additionally, he also tweeted, “KEEP GOING!!!!! #StriveForGreatness.”
Expressing gratitude to James for his kind words, Tiafoe replied, “Thank you big bro…… we got some more work to do @KingJames”
👑 @KingJames 🤝 @FTiafoe @usopen | #usopen pic.twitter.com/Fc0ocbfriz
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 6, 2022
The match began with Tiafoe dominating the proceedings. He won the first set 6-4. However, Nadal came back strongly to level the match by winning the second set 6-4.
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via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Frances Tiafoe of the United States looks frustrated during his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the fourth round of the men’s singles at the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Tiafoe stepped up his game to regain his lead by winning the third set, 6-4. Riding on the momentum, he took the fourth set 6-3 to knock Nadal out of the US Open. In the process, he became the first player to defeat the Spaniard at Grand Slam tournaments this year.
In his maiden quarterfinals at the US Open, the American star will take on Andrey Rublev. The latter had earlier defeated Cameron Norrie to set up a clash with Tiafoe.
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Can Tiafoe win his first Grand Slam title in front of his ‘home’ fans? Let us know your views in the comments below.
