Frances Tiafoe survives Michelsen in US Open thriller

Frances Tiafoe has reached the US Open semi-finals after escaping a major challenge from fellow American Alex Michelsen. The 12th-ranked player, a two-time semi-finalist at the tournament, recovered from a two-set deficit to keep his campaign alive. Michelsen, ranked 46th, was playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

Tiafoe prevailed 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 after four hours and 38 minutes. The deciding set went to a super tie-break, where Tiafoe held his nerve to win 10-6. He will next face either Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton for a place in the final.

Michelsen controlled the opening stages, breaking late in the first set and taking the second with two service breaks. He then moved ahead in the third and was serving for the match at 5-4, but Tiafoe levelled before taking the next two games. Tiafoe carried that momentum into the fourth set, although Michelsen again opened the fifth strongly by moving 3-0 ahead.

The younger American fought to restore parity at 3-3, but could not complete the upset. The defeat extended his record in five-set matches without a victory. Tiafoe, who had also beaten Michelsen in their two previous meetings, used his greater experience in the final tie-break to complete the turnaround.