At least one American man will reach the semifinals at the 2026 U.S. Open after Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen advanced on Sunday afternoon.
Tiafoe and Michelsen will go head-to-head in the quarters on Tuesday following respective victories over Daniil Medvedev and Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Both Americans prevailed in straight sets. Less than an hour after Michelsen dismissed Etcheverry 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4, Tiafoe defeated Medvedev 7-6(1), 6-4, 7-6(6).
Tiafoe came back from a break down in both the first and third sets, even saving a set point in dramatic fashion with Medvedev serving at 6-5 in the second-set ‘breaker. The world No. 12 closed out the match two points later, crossing the finish line in two hours and 57 minutes.
Heading into Sunday’s showdown, Tiafoe had been 1-6 lifetime against Medvedev on the main tour — his lone victory coming at the 2024 Laver Cup. The 28-year-old’s record in Louis Armstrong Stadium is much, much better. This result makes Tiafoe a perfect 10-0 in Armstrong during his illustrious U.S. Open career.
“What a match,” he said in his on-court interview. “Daniil has been so good and he has beaten me so many times. This is the first time I have beaten him in a regular match, so I am super pumped up about it…. It has been amazing playing on this court — the energy, man. It is like the people’s court. I am loving the energy, for sure.”
This marks Tiafoe’s fourth trip to the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows and he is bidding for his third semifinal appearance. Fortunately for Michelsen, it won’t be in Armstrong. The all-American affair will undoubtedly be in Ashe.
nice one, Foe
I’m not even thinking about the outcome. I’m going to enjoy the performances both those players just showed, before one unfortunately has to eliminate the other.
I wish Tiafoe got to play Zverev because if he played like he did today Zverev would be toast. Tiafoe was totally electric. Alas, wrong half of the draw.