OT: Frances Tiafoe rolls into to the US Open Semifinals
Earlier today at the US Open, Frances Tiafoe (who is now the final American standing, men's or women's bracket) put on a show in a straight sets win over Andrey Rublev (country not found). Tiafoe backed up his hard-fought win over Rafael Nadal (2) with an emphatic win.
7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0), 6-4
Tiafoe (22) is the first American man to make the US Open semis since Andy Roddick in 2006 (i.e. a few months before Henne and Manningham & Co. played in that epic 42-39 game vs Ohio State). Tiafoe will face the winner of Jannik Sinner (11) and Carlos Alcaraz (3) who are playing right now on Arthur Ashe. Speaking of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Tiafoe is the first Black American man to make the US Open semis since Arthur Ashe in 1972. He could also be the first American man to win a major since Roddick in 2003. LINK
Tiafoe and Rublev were pretty even up until Rublev couldn't capitalize on his set point opportunity at 6-5 in the 1st set. From there, Tiafoe kept getting stronger. He was brilliant at the net, hitting an array of slick drop/touch shots. Tiafoe was serving in the mid-130's MPH, with at least one clocking in at 136. His groundstrokes were pretty consistent, showing power and aim from both forehand and backhand sides. One of the most fun shots he deployed was the "leaping backhand" as I like to call it--he goes airborne off of one foot and drills the two-hand backhand low and down the line off weaker serves etc. Tiafoe is playing some inspired tennis and at a really high level right now. He's also super fun to watch and ultra likeable. If he can do a little bit more with his second serves, I think he has a good shot to be a consistent factor in spots like these.
I have to say the men's bracket is really fun and wide open right now with Federer and Djokovic sitting this one out, and with Nadal getting beat.
September 7th, 2022 at 11:43 PM ^
Tia friend or Tiafoe?
September 7th, 2022 at 11:56 PM ^
My son pointed out while we watched his match this weekend that he has a chain that says "Big Foe"
September 8th, 2022 at 12:02 AM ^
I think that's also his social media handle.
September 8th, 2022 at 7:36 AM ^
TI-AF-OH!
Gus Johnson needs to replace McEnroe in the booth!
September 8th, 2022 at 1:06 AM ^
Well played (on the "country not found").
September 8th, 2022 at 1:40 AM ^
I haven't watched much of this tournament, but Tiafoe is a great story. I'll be supporting him all the way.
September 8th, 2022 at 6:41 AM ^
Yeah, he's been a big huge large story in the DC area because he's from Hyattsville, one of the little communities just outside the Beltway (loop expressway around DC itself) from DC in MD. Apparently, his parents did a lot to help build the tennis stadium facility that the tennis tour plays its DC tourney in, so he's quite popular in the area.
I don't watch tennis very often, so I've never heard of him. Nonetheless, good luck to the young man - I hope he wins. He seems like a good kid, and down to Earth.
September 8th, 2022 at 7:15 AM ^
Alcaraz Garfia beat Sinner in five sets 6-3 6-7 6-7 7-5 6-3.
September 8th, 2022 at 8:54 AM ^
Ugh I stayed up for the whole thing and am paying for it. Latest finish in US Open history at 2:50a. Absolutely amazing match. If I had to pick two non-Big-3 guys to win 5+ slams in their careers, it’s these two.
September 8th, 2022 at 9:08 AM ^
Bravo. I tapped out after the third set because I knew there were still going to be two hours more. Second longest match in Open history and the quality of what I saw was off the charts. Just remarkable stuff from both guys.
Have to think that Tiafoe has an advantage after Alcaraz has gone late, late into the night on back-to-back five setters, but, that said, Alcaraz seems to have the deepest well of any player outside of peak Rafa.
September 8th, 2022 at 9:35 AM ^
Alcaraz seems like the next big star on the mens side as the Big three start to fade away. Only 19 and ranked so highly already.
September 8th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
I like CAG and he's amazing, but part of me wishes he was more aggressive. He's more of a clay court specialist turned up to 11 than an all-rounder. Like, that shot to the corner that Tiafoe hit to save set point against Rublev was pure fire and its not really part of CAGs game yet
September 8th, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
Oh man I have to disagree strongly with that. Alcaraz himself as well as most commentator types say hard court is his best surface. And he’s incredibly aggressive, probably to a fault. One of the reasons he’s so popular is his attacking style. He just pounds his opponents into dust, comes to the net a ton, hits lots of drop shots. He’s the most fun player I’ve watched since peak Federer.
His biggest issue is not getting enough free points on his serve.
September 8th, 2022 at 10:59 AM ^
It's weird though because its not really an "attacking" style, its all vertical - he gets his opponents out of position and then ices them with touch. He doesn't really hit the singular amazing shot that changes the dynamic of a point. Its one of the reasons hes meh on grass. YMMV.
September 8th, 2022 at 11:35 AM ^
Totally agree. I lucked out and got to see his second round match at one of the outer courts last year. Seeing his court coverage and the variety of shots he tries from close up is just mind-boggling. Wildly entertaining. He plays long points but they're not just ground stroke endurance contests.
September 8th, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
Great story - and life - so far. Wishing him well…
September 8th, 2022 at 10:06 AM ^
Violation of out of OT season rules but I think we should expand OT posting this season given the less than thrilling out of conference schedule. Board has been dead lately.
September 8th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
I found this in LSA's most recent Guide to OT (the 2020 version is stickied, not the most recent one, so it took a slight bit of digging to make sure I was up to date):
Sunday (also Thursday and Monday) NFL threads will be allowed as usual. Pro sports events which are significant are fine as well (World Series, NBA or NHL coverage, etc…) – just not every bit of news like we get during the draft and free agency periods sometimes
I'd consider a tennis Grand Slam event with a particularly interesting storyline to conform to these rules? Under the "etc" clause.
I do appreciate the sentiment though (that you're ok with expanded OT posting).
September 8th, 2022 at 11:22 AM ^
I’ve been a Federer fan for a long time. And, though Joker isn’t playing the US Open - there is a bit of “age” that will be a factor for the “Big Three”. It’s already impacted Fed - and, it may not be too long before “Father Time” has a greater impact n Nadal and Joker.
Can Tiafoe be part of the next gen of string tennis players - potentially competing at multiple majors each year? I certainly hope so.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
Tiafoe (22) is the first American man to make the US Open semis since Andy Roddick in 2006 (i.e. a few months before Henne and Manningham & Co. played in that epic 42-39 game vs Ohio State).
Or, on a happier note, it was just days before we dropped the hammer on #2 ND in South Bend.
(I miss Michigan Replay...)