Sport
oh-Madhuri Adnal
Frances Tiafoe made a stunning comeback at the US Open, fighting back in straight sets to defeat compatriot Alex Mickelsen in a four-hour, 40-minute thriller. The 11th-place player won with a score of 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) and reached the semi-finals for the third time.
But it was what happened after the final point that caught the crowd’s attention.
Frances Tiafoe made a remarkable comeback at the US Open, defeating Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) in a nearly five-hour match to reach the semi-finals and later console her emotional opponent.
Mickelsen, 22, burst into tears after throwing away a two-set lead and coming so close to the biggest win of his career. While celebrating his remarkable victory, Tiafoe noticed his compatriot struggling to contain his emotions.
The 27-year-old immediately put his celebration aside, dropped his racquet and crossed the court to hug Michelsen.
The two Americans hugged tightly before exchanging a few words. The moment quickly spread on social media, with fans praising Tiafoe for showing compassion for his opponent so soon after completing one of the biggest comebacks of his career.
“Honestly, I don’t think anyone else could have made me cry at that moment,” Michelsen said after the match.
“Francis, he’s such a nice guy, he said a lot of personal things and somehow got me hooked.”
Michelsen was at arm’s length
For most of the match, it was Michelsen who looked like the player heading for victory.
The 22-year-old, who was playing in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time, came out aggressively and troubled Tiafoe in the first set. He fired 21 aces and won the first two sets 7-5, 6-3.
Tiafoe struggled to find his usual rhythm at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He managed only four wins in the first set compared to Michelsen’s 15, and gave his opponent a decisive break on set point.
Michelsen continued to apply pressure in the second set, especially at the net, and another decisive break moved him two sets clear of a place in the last four.
Things got even more difficult for Tiafoe early in the third set when Michelsen broke in the first game.
However, when the American youngster was serving for the match at 5-4, the situation suddenly changed.
Michelsen made two double faults to give Tiafoe a chance and the 11th placed took full advantage. He fought back to level the set and then broke again at set point to win the third set 7-5.
Tiafoe turns the match around
The comeback gained momentum in the fourth set.
Tiafoe won the first three games and began dictating more plays. Michelsen, who had looked calm for most of the night, suddenly found himself under pressure to stay in contention.
Tiafoe eventually closed out the set 6-3 to secure the decisive victory.
The fifth set was a battle of nerves and neither player wanted to give the other an easy opening. After almost five hours on the court, the quarterfinals were decided by a tiebreaker.
Tiafoe kept his composure and won the deciding break 7-6(6), capping a remarkable fight and securing his place in the US Open semi-finals.
“I understand the moment,” Tiafoe said of Mickelsen’s reaction.
“He was definitely crying on my shoulder. Yes, we just said a few words to each other, that’s all.”
The gesture had added meaning because Tiafoe himself knows the feeling of losing painfully in five sets. This year he lost five-set fights at Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
For Michelsen, the defeat ended the best Grand Slam run of his career. Despite the disappointment, his performance against one of America’s top players was a big step forward.
Meanwhile, Tiafoe returns to the US Open semi-finals for the third time. He will next face either eighth seed Ben Shelton or defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for a spot in the final.
However, the image that is likely to continue into the evening will not be the final tiebreaker point. It will be Tiafoe walking down the court to console an opponent who has just seen his best chance of a Grand Slam semi-final disappear.