Frances Tiafo of America made a big upset by defeating Rafael Nadal in the third round of the US Open men’s singles draw on Monday, September 5. Tifo won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a thrilling four-setter at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Thus, Tiafo became the third American player, after Andy Roddick and James Blake, to beat Nadal at a Grand Slam major. Tiaffo became the youngest American since Roddick to qualify for the US Open quarters.
The 24-year-old dominated the entire match as he broke Nadal’s serve five times out of eight. After losing the first set, Nadal made a comeback in the second set and showed his ability to come back against the wall.
However, Tiafo showed plenty of restraint to close the last two sets. With the scoreline reading 5-3, 40-0 in Tiafo’s favour, Nadal had three match points to save, but after saving one of them, he ran out of gas.
Take a moment Francis Tiafoe!#US Open pic.twitter.com/egoIVDoRWh
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 5 September 2022
It was also Nadal’s first defeat at a Grand Slam in 2022. Nadal started the year with a win at the Australian Open, where he came from behind to win the final.
Thereafter, he won his 14th title at the French Open at Roland Garros, continuing to dominate the clay-court tournament.
The veteran won his quarterfinal of Wimbledon 2022, but was ruled out of the semi-finals against eventual runner-up Nick Kyrgios due to injury.
With Thiem, Nadal, Daniil Medvedev already knocked out, the winner of the men’s singles at Flushing Meadows remains to be seen.
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