Tiafoe first American man into US Open semi-finals in 16 years, beats Rublev

After sending Rafael Nadal packing, Frances Tiafoe backed it up in style.

The American – the No 22 seed – reached the last four of the US Open by beating Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 9 seed, 7-6 (3), 7-6, 6-4 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on Wednesday.

He is the first American man into the last four in New York since Andy Roddick back in 2006 – and the first black American man to reach that stage since 1972 and Arthur Ashe, after whom the premier show court is named.

“This is wild, this is crazy,” said Tiafoe in his on-court interview.

“I feel so at home on courts like this. When I play, I want to give my best. I always find a way somehow on this court. Let’s enjoy this one – but we’ve got two more, guys, we’ve got two more!”

Rublev was clearly frustrated and emotional after dropping a break point opportunity in the third set.

Tiafoe, ranked No 26, will play the winner of the match between Italian Jannik Sinner, the No 11 seed, and Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the No 3 seed, next.

Ahead of his victory, the American won against Marcos Giron (7-6, 6-4, 6-3), Australian Jason Kubler (7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-6 (2)), Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, the No 14 seed (7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-4) and Spaniard Rafael Nadal, the second seed (6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3).

Rublev, ranked No 11, won against Serb Laslo Djere (7-6 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4), SoonWoo Kwon (6-3, 6-0, 6-4), Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the No 19 seed (6-4, 2-6, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (7)) and No 7 seed Cameron Norrie (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

US Open, other quarter-finals results:

• Karen Khachanov (27) beat Nick Kyrgios (23): 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-4
• Casper Ruud (5) beat Matteo Berrettini (13): 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (4)

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