Frances Tiafoe: “I Have Higher Hopes for Myself” — American Outlasts Alex Michelsen in Five-Set Thriller to Reach Third US Open Semifinal
Frances Tiafoe is no stranger to the electric atmosphere of the US Open night sessions or the high stakes of a Grand Slam semifinal. But as the 28-year-old American prepares for his third appearance in the last four at Flushing Meadows, he insists he is stepping onto the court as a completely different player.
To secure his spot in the semifinals on Tuesday, the 11th seed was forced to stage an extraordinary comeback against 22-year-old countryman Alex Michelsen, prevailing 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10/6) after four hours and 38 minutes of grueling baseline warfare.
With the victory, Tiafoe becomes the first American man since Andre Agassi (2002–03, 2005) to reach three US Open semifinals in a single century. Yet, unlike his breakout runs in 2022 and 2024, Tiafoe’s perspective has matured.
“I’m just a different person in general. Those two runs were great, something I will cherish forever, but I’m not that person who I was when I made one in 2022 and when I made one in ’24,” Tiafoe said in his post-match press conference. “I’m not that person. I’m excited to see what this me does come Friday.”
“I just feel where my feet are. I’m pumped about it. I’m super excited about it, but I don’t feel like it’s, ‘Oh, my God!’ I just want to continue,” added the World No. 8 in the live rankings. “I just want to keep going. I have higher hopes for myself.”
A “Braveheart-Type Win” from the Brink
Tiafoe found himself on the precipice of defeat against Michelsen, who stormed out to a two-set lead and served for the match at 5-4 in the third set. Facing elimination, Tiafoe mounted a furious comeback, marking his third career victory from two sets down at a major.
When match point finally concluded, the two Americans shared an emotional embrace at the net, with a tearful Michelsen leaning on Tiafoe’s shoulder in one of the tournament’s most poignant moments.
“It was definitely a Braveheart-type win,” Tiafoe reflected. “It ranks pretty high in probably all-time wins in a slam. I don’t know where, but it ranks pretty high.”
The Unforgiving Nature of Best-of-Five Tennis
The comeback served as another testament to Tiafoe’s supreme conditioning and physical endurance in marathon matches—a virtue made possible by tennis’ unique structure.
“Three out of five is a blessing, because you have time to get it together. I definitely waited for the last minute,” Tiafoe quipped with a grin. “You see a little opening window, you see turning points. One point and all of a sudden you’re, four hours later, in a battle just because of one point. Tennis is a unique sport like that.”
Holding a stellar 42-16 record on the 2026 season, Tiafoe moves on to Friday’s semifinal, where he will face either two-time Flushing Meadows champion Carlos Alcaraz or fellow American star Ben Shelton.
