Frances Tiafoe has returned to the stage that has defined his career.
The stage – the U.S. Open quarterfinals – where Tiafoe (No. 20) was eliminated last year in a thriller to fellow American Ben Shelton, whom he captured revenge against this year in the third round.
A stage where Tiafoe emerged out of nowhere to become one of the sport’s top fan favorites after upsetting the legendary Rafael Nadal in 2022.
A stage which could now set the tone for the next chapter of his career.
Jason Szenes for New York Post
To secure his return to the U.S. Open quarterfinals, the 27-year-old Tiafoe had to go through one of this year’s tournament’s biggest wild cards.
He defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin, who had upset No. 2 Novak Djokovic in the third round and is ranked No. 28 in the world, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3 in the fourth round Sunday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Tiafoe will next play No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov.
Popyrin was on the verge of winning the second set and pulling even, but he saw a 5-2 lead evaporate to 5-5 and then a 6-5 lead turn into a tiebreak and Tiafoe subsequently won the tiebreak and the set.
Jason Szenes for New York Post
In the ninth game, Tiafoe came back from 0-40 to break Popyrin.
“I win a point, win another point, I was like ‘ooh,’” Tiafoe said. “He gave me one, and I was like ‘don’t let me get two,’ then I was like ‘don’t let me get three,’ and then I thought ‘I might as well break now.’ I got pretty lucky there, honestly. Without [the fans], it wouldn’t have happened.”
After dropping the third set, Tiafoe overpowered Popyrin – breaking him in the sixth game – to win the fourth set and seal the win.
