Tiafoe reaches US Open semis in thrilling fightback

NEW YORK, Sept 8 - Frances Tiafoe recovered from two sets and a break down to beat U.S. compatriot Alex Michelsen 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6(6) at the U.S. Open on Tuesday, reaching the semi-finals for a third time in a thrilling fightback.

Tiafoe appeared to have lost all the magic of his early campaign before wresting the momentum in the third set and clinching it with a forehand winner. He will next play either eighth seed Ben Shelton or defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Tiafoe thrived in his beloved Louis Armstrong Stadium this week but struggled to hit his stride on the Arthur Ashe court, sending four winners versus his opponent's 15 in the opening set, before handing over the critical break on set point.

Michelsen did some of his best work running up on the net in the second set, where he got the decisive break with a fine backhand strike, and he sent another shot down the line to break in the opening game of the third.

But Tiafoe dug in his heels, levelling it in the 10th game as Michelsen lost his poise, and the veteran slammed his foot on the gas with another break on set point before winning the first three games of the penultimate set.

The two brought their best tennis to a nerve-searing final set, where the crowd sprang to their feet as Tiafoe sealed the win before embracing an emotional Michelsen after closing out the four-hour and 38-minute contest. REUTERS