Frances Tiafoe played fearlessly throughout the three-hour, 31-minute thriller to clinch the match against Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Tiafoe slammed the ball off both wings and rallied from a breakdown in the fourth set to become the first American man to reach the last eight in New York since John Isner in 2018.
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The American struck 49 winners to turn the tables in style. The 22nd seed will next play Andrey Rublev after the ninth seed downed Briton Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
After claiming the first set and losing the second, Tiafoe made a stunning comeback to clinch the third. In a tight fourth set, the Spaniard hammered first to move 3-1 ahead.
Tiafoe stuck to his game plan, though, and worked his way back into the set. He swung freely and held his nerve, cruising off five straight games to seal a historic win. "I'm beyond happy, almost in tears, I can't believe it. I played unbelievable tennis today. I really don't know what happened," Tiafoe said in his on-court interview.
"At 4-3 [in the fourth set], when I went up 40/0, my legs were like cement. I just needed to get out of the game and then pray to god that I don't have to serve for it. I was lucky enough to get out of that game. I came out not giving Rafa all the respect. I came out to win a tennis match if front of you guys," Tiafoe said.
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"When I first came on the scene I felt like a lot of people had a lot of expectations on me on how I would do. I wasn't ready for it mentally. I wasn't mature enough for it. These past couple of years, when the tension hasn't been on me I have been able to develop. I have a great team behind me. I am just putting my head down and I am happy with where I am in life in general. I am able to do me and do it my way and enjoy the game I love," the American said.
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