US Open: Rafael Nadal’s ambitions of earning a third Grand Slam championship in 2022 were dashed when Frances Tiafoe of the United States defeated him in four sets at the US Open.
Although plainly hindered by the abdominal strain that prompted him to withdraw before his Wimbledon semi-final in July, Nadal, who was going for a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam championship, displayed his trademark tenacity to provide an electrifying spectacle on Arthur Ashe Court.
The American battled back from a breakdown in the fourth set to secure a 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3 triumph in three hours and 33 minutes, but Tiafoe’s shotmaking proved to be too much for the Spaniard to handle.
After reaching the last eight at the Australian Open in 2019, Tiafoe advances to just his second Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career. He will next play Andrey Rublev after the Russian defeated British No. 1, Cameron Norrie, in straight sets earlier on Monday.
“I’m beyond happy, I’m almost in tears. I can’t believe it,” Tiafoe said on the court in his post-match interview. “He’s definitely one of the greatest of all time. I played unbelievable tennis today, but I really don’t know what happened.
“I came out not giving Rafa all the respect, I came out to win a tennis match in front of you guys.”
