Tiafoe escapes Michelsen to reach US Open semi-finals / Photo: ANGELA WEISS - AFP
Tiafoe escapes Michelsen to reach US Open semi-finals
Frances Tiafoe rallied from two sets down -- and 3-0 down in the fifth set -- to edge 22-year-old Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10/6) and reach the US Open semi-finals on Tuesday.
American 11th seed Tiafoe had all he could handle from his 22-year-old compatriot, who hadn't dropped a set in reaching the first Grand Slam quarter-final of his career.
But in a match of swinging momentum shifts, Tiafoe battled back from 5-3 down in the third set and recovered an early break in the fifth to reach his third US Open semi-final in five years.
Tiafoe clinched it in the 10-point match tiebreaker after four hours and 38 minutes, Michelsen weeping in the victor's arms as they met at the net.
Tiafoe will face either defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or eighth-seeded American Ben Shelton for a place in Sunday's championship match.
Michelsen came out swinging on Arthur Ashe Stadium against an uncharacteristically passive Tiafoe, who usually feeds on the energy of the crowd.
But when Michelsen found himself serving for the match at 5-4 in the third, his nerves betrayed him. Two double faults helped Tiafoe break back, and Tiafoe strung together seven straight games to close out the third set and seize control of the fourth.
Michelsen, who has yet to win a title on the ATP Tour, responded with an early break in the fifth set, but Tiafoe refused to fold.
"He gave me some gifts, a couple of double faults there," Tiafoe said of his narrow escape in the third set.
"But then I slowly started to get my rhythm there, snuck out third set and slowly started playing better and better.
"But he is a hell of a player," Tiafoe added. "He should have easily won today."
When he had completed the comeback Tiafoe flung his arms into the air, then consoled a weeping Michelsen at the net.
"I was like, man, I know, I've been there," Tiafoe told ESPN. "I know how much that hurts."
D.Schmid--SbgTB
