Frances Tiafoe rallies from two sets and a break down to beat Alex Michelsen in a US Open quarter-final, reaching the semifinals after a five-set match. Sources report the final score as 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (6), with the contest extending to about four-and-a-half hours.
After the match, Tiafoe consoles a tearful Michelsen at the net, with several outlets describing Michelsen crying as Tiafoe embraces him. The gesture is portrayed as a direct response to Michelsen’s disappointment, alongside remarks that they share familiarity with that kind of moment. Multiple reports highlight that Michelsen was close to winning, including points and game scenarios in which he led in the decisive stages.
Context across the coverage centers on Tiafoe’s return to the last four at Flushing Meadows for a third time, having previously reached semifinals in 2022 and 2024. Sources also note that Tiafoe next plays the winner of the other quarter-final involving Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton, though outlets vary slightly on the emphasis, with some focusing on the historic scale of the comeback and others on the on-court consolation.
