Fritz (L) Or Tiafoe Will Play For The Championship Sunday
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
20th-seeded Frances Tiafoe moved ahead to the US Open semifinals Tuesday night after upsetting 9th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 26-year-old American and 33-year-old Bulgarian faced off with excitement and strategic shots early on, but tired as the match progressed into the late hours of the cool September night in Queens. Tiafoe won 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1, as Dimitrov retired in the fourth set.
“Yeah, I mean, definitely (an) abrupt ending, but I thought the level was really high there for two-and-a-half sets, three sets, whatever the case may be,” Tiafoe said following the match.
He said he was pleased with the way he played, but acknowledged he wanted to improve.
“The only thing, serve again wasn’t where I wanted to be,” he said. “Gave him a lot of 2nd-serve looks.”
Tiafoe had three total aces and landed 50% of his first serves in the match. Dimitrov had 8 aces and made 55% of his first serves.
“Everything else, I returned great, I moved really well tonight and I made him earn a lot of points,” he said.
Tiafoe defeated No. 28 Alexei Popyrin to advance and face Dimitrov. It was an intense start to the match Tuesday, with fast paced low ground strokes. Tiafoe won the first set as he successfully read his opponent to win points. He approached the net at opportune moments, sometimes having overpowering hits, but also finding the ideal spots beyond Dimitrov’s reach.
Tiafoe led 4-1 in the second set, but fell behind. He appeared to approach the net less, possibly in fatigue. Dimitrov came back to tie the match at 4-4-and claimed the set following a tiebreaker. Tiafoe adjusted and won the third set. Dimitrov appeared to be cramping and limping as his serve declined in the third set. He only landed 52% of first serves in the third set, compared to 56% in the first set and 57% in the second set.
“Honestly, I cannot, as I said, pinpoint everything,” he said following the match when asked what was causing the pain. I need to cool off a little bit and see what the thing is, do all the scans and all that.”
He was pleased to have made the quarterfinals and said he would have to reflect on the match.
“Congrats to Frances,” he said after the match. “Fought very hard. Played good tennis. Really good tennis, actually. Yeah, it’s just disappointing moment for me.”
Dimitrov had 11 double faults in the match, while Tiafoe served five. Dimitrov struggled with unforced errors. He had 51 in total. Tiafoe had 37.
Tiafoe will face No. 12 Taylor Fritz Friday, guaranteeing an American man will play in the Grand Slam final on Sunday for the first time in 18 years. The last American man to make it to the Final and win was Andy Roddick in 2003.
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