Frances Tiafoe Advances to US Open 2024 Quarterfinals After Thrilling Win Over Alexei Popyrin
Frances Tiafoe upset Australian Alexei Popyrin, who had just defeated Novak Djokovic, in a thrilling match to guarantee his place in the US Open 2024 quarterfinals.
Due to his outstanding play, Tiafoe will face Grigor Dimitrov in an attempt to advance to the Flushing Meadows semifinals.
With the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd at full capacity, Tiafoe had the first set all but wrapped up, but Alexei Popyrin’s 5-2, 40-0 lead in the second set saw him almost lose the lead. In a best-of-three set battle, the 6’5″ Australian who had somehow made Novak Djokovic appear little in the third round was all but in control until he dropped the next five points. This horrible sequence was completed off by a double fault, which gave Tiafoe and his supporters hope and encouragement to try and aid their man pull off an enormous comeback.
This is precisely what took place. When the match came down to a tiebreaker, their respective scores were the same, but their momentum was vastly different. Then, instead of just the Manhattanite-heavy evening crowd, it seemed as though the entire borough of Queens could be heard at full volume as Tiafoe hit a curving crosscourt forehand pass to grab a 3-0 lead.
Tiafoe could sense it. In the next set, he battered forehands, forced Popyrin to back off (his return placement was close to the back wall), and even capitalized on another double fault for three set points. Popyrin had those earlier, but Tiafoe’s supporters knew he wouldn’t part with his. Not even one.
Ace. Cheers—though not nearly as much as a few minutes ago. Proceed to the chair. When faced with such a significant disadvantage, what was going through Tiafoe’s mind?
After the match, he told Chris Eubanks on the court, “I’m pretty sweaty, I’m sweating through my shoes, I’m going to win this in four.” But Tiafoe said to himself, “don’t give me two,” after Popyrin awarded him a single point.
That was stunning, but Popyrin’s response was much more so. Unfazed, he won the third set with the same ease as he had the second. The energy that Tiafoe had lost didn’t resurface until he was up 3-2 on serve in the fourth set. The No. 25 seed lost the match due to another double fault by Popyrin, but only after some more outstanding tennis from Tiafoe.
Tiafoe took a 5-2 lead in the fourth set after a hold at 30, and he could only join fellow countryman Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals with a Popyrin-like collapse. Tiafoe would be forced to serve it out by the Montreal champion, and the people’s champion would oblige—but not without a little drama.
Tiafoe had two match points after a beautiful half-volley winner, but he missed his first opportunity to finish the volley and hit the ball into the net on the second. On break point, Popyrin even had a glimpse of a forehand pass, but he put it the net.
Two points later, Tiafoe’s forehand winner sealed the match, making Popyrin’s costly error of the night. After winning 6-4, 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3, he advances to play Grigor Dimitrov, who won in five sets earlier in the day.
Tiafoe will be even more delighted to hear the match will be broadcast on Ashe.
“Ever since I was a child, I always wanted to play on this court. I watched the Williams sisters win titles here and Roger Federer win here a million times,” said Tiafoe. “It brings out my best qualities.”
