https://japantoday.com-By Rob Woollard
NEW YORK
Frances Tiafoe of the United States defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets to power into the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Wednesday.
Tiafoe, aiming to become the first African-American man to win the U.S. Open since Arthur Ashe in 1968, put on a scintillating performance to defeat Russian ninth seed Rublev 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/0), 6-4.
It was another superb giant-killing performance from the 24-year-old Tiafoe, who had eliminated Spanish legend Rafael Nadal in the fourth round on Tuesday.
Tiafoe, seeded 22nd, will face either Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner in the last four on Friday.
“Man this is wild, this is crazy,” Tiafoe said after his victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Having the biggest win of my life 24 hours ago and coming out and getting another big win. Andrey’s a hell of a player, so to back it up is huge growth.
“Tough to turn the page but I did and now I’m in the semis…I always find a way somehow on this court. Let’s enjoy this one – we’ve got two more guys, two more.”
Tiafoe’s victory was founded on a rock-solid service game and a mastery of the key moments.
The American hammered down 18 aces and was never broken once against Rublev, who was aiming to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final after five previous quarter-final exits.
Crucially, Rublev was unable to take any of four break points that came his way during a high-quality contest settled by fine margins.
The Russian 24-year-old had a break point at 6-5 in the first set but was unable to convert as Tiafoe battled back to hold.
Tiafoe then showed the greater composure in the tie-break to seal it with an ace for a one-set lead.
The second set played out in almost identical fashion, going to a tie-break after neither man could find a break of serve.
But once again it was Tiafoe who rose to the moment. Back-to-back aces took him into a 5-0 lead before a beautiful sliced backhand gave him six points for a two-set lead. He duly converted the first to leave Rublev with a mountain to climb.
The Russian did well to hold serve in the third game of the third set, recovering from 15-40 down.
Yet Tiafoe grabbed a break for a crucial 4-3 lead soon afterwards that left Rublev overcome with emotion, appearing to sob into his towel.
Tiafoe held off two break points in the next game and took a 5-3 lead with his 17th ace before closing out the win.
In women’s action, world number one Iga Swiatek reached her first U.S. Open semifinal with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) win over Jessica Pegula of the United States.
The French Open champion will face Aryna Sabalenka for a place in Saturday’s final after making the last-four of a Slam for the third time in 2022.
“That will be a very tough match. There will be some fast serves and heavy hitting, just like tonight,” said Swiatek
In a mistake-filled quarterfinal, there were 13 breaks of serve and a combined 61 unforced errors.
“It means a lot to be in the semi-finals for the first time,” said Swiatek. “I am very happy as I have worked very hard but have kept my expectations low.
“It was a really tight match. I tried to push her back but she was putting pressure on me so that’s what it went to a tiebreak.”
Swiatek overcame giving up the first break of the match in the fifth game to reel off 16 of the next 18 points to claim the opening set in 38 minutes.
The 21-year-old Pole and American eighth seed exchanged three service breaks apiece in the first eight games in an untidy second set.
It was the French Open champion who carved out the seventh break on a net cord to give herself the opportunity to serve for the match.
Eighth-ranked Pegula roused herself to stay alive in the contest before a double fault on break point in the 11th game handed Swiatek a second opportunity to seal a spot in the semi-finals.
The top seed failed again as Pegula sealed the 10th break to send the set into a tiebreak which the Pole dominated to clinch a third win over the American this year.