Tiafoe and Sabalenka Survive US Open Quarterfinal Dramas
Frances Tiafoe recovered from two sets down and saved his campaign after Alex Michelsen served for the match, winning 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10/6) in four hours and 38 minutes.[1] Aryna Sabalenka also rallied, overturning a 4-2 deficit in the deciding set to defeat Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-…
Frances Tiafoe recovered from two sets down and saved his campaign after Alex Michelsen served for the match, winning 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10/6) in four hours and 38 minutes.[1] Aryna Sabalenka also rallied, overturning a 4-2 deficit in the deciding set to defeat Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) and reach the women’s semifinals.[4] Tiafoe consoled a tearful Michelsen after the match, while Sabalenka extended her US Open winning streak to 19 matches.[1][4]
Why it matters: The victories keep Tiafoe in contention for his first major title and preserve Sabalenka’s bid for a third consecutive US Open crown, although her world number one ranking still depends on Elena Rybakina’s result against Zheng Qinwen.[1][4]
Key insights: Michelsen led by a break in the third set and served for the match at 5-4, but Tiafoe won seven consecutive games to seize control.[1] | Michelsen produced 21 aces and 55 winners but also committed 61 unforced errors in his first run beyond the US Open second round.[1] | Sabalenka won a US Open tie-break for the 10th consecutive time, sealing victory with a second-serve ace.[4] | Sabalenka became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach six consecutive US Open semifinals.[4]
Cheatsheet facts: What changed: Tiafoe and Sabalenka both overturned decisive deficits to advance to the US Open semifinals.[1][4] | Why now: Tiafoe found his rhythm after Michelsen failed to serve out the match, while Sabalenka won three straight games after falling behind 4-2 in the final set.[1][4] | Watch next: Tiafoe will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton, while Sabalenka will play Jessica Pegula or Emma Navarro.[1][4]
Frances Tiafoe recovered from two sets down and saved his campaign after Alex Michelsen served for the match, winning 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10/6) in four hours and 38 minutes.[1] Aryna Sabalenka also rallied, overturning a 4-2 deficit in the deciding set to defeat Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7) and reach the women’s semifinals.[4] Tiafoe consoled a tearful Michelsen after the match, while Sabalenka extended her US Open winning streak to 19 matches.[1][4]
Why it matters: The victories keep Tiafoe in contention for his first major title and preserve Sabalenka’s bid for a third consecutive US Open crown, although her world number one ranking still depends on Elena Rybakina’s result against Zheng Qinwen.[1][4]
Key insights: Michelsen led by a break in the third set and served for the match at 5-4, but Tiafoe won seven consecutive games to seize control.[1] | Michelsen produced 21 aces and 55 winners but also committed 61 unforced errors in his first run beyond the US Open second round.[1] | Sabalenka won a US Open tie-break for the 10th consecutive time, sealing victory with a second-serve ace.[4] | Sabalenka became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach six consecutive US Open semifinals.[4]
Cheatsheet facts: What changed: Tiafoe and Sabalenka both overturned decisive deficits to advance to the US Open semifinals.[1][4] | Why now: Tiafoe found his rhythm after Michelsen failed to serve out the match, while Sabalenka won three straight games after falling behind 4-2 in the final set.[1][4] | Watch next: Tiafoe will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton, while Sabalenka will play Jessica Pegula or Emma Navarro.[1][4]