Tiafoe stuns Michelsen in 4hr 38min US Open QF comeback
Synopsis
Down two sets and 0-3 in the fifth, Frances Tiafoe did what almost no one does at a Grand Slam — he came all the way back. The win makes him the first American man to reach the US Open semis three times this century, surpassing a mark set by Andre Agassi, and sets up a blockbuster clash with either Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton.
Key Takeaways
Frances Tiafoe defeated Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) in the US Open quarter-finals on Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium .
The match lasted four hours and 38 minutes — one of the longest of this year's tournament.
Tiafoe erased a 0-3 fifth-set deficit to complete the comeback, winning the tiebreak after never trailing past 3-2 .
He is now the first American man to reach the US Open semi-finals three times this century , last done by Andre Agassi in 2002, 2003, and 2005 .
Tiafoe's record when trailing two sets in Grand Slams stands at 3-17 , with two of those wins coming in 2025 .
His semi-final opponent will be either Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton .
Frances Tiafoe produced one of the great comebacks in recent US Open memory on Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, clawing back from two sets down and a 0-3 deficit in the fifth to defeat fellow American Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) in a pulsating men's quarter-final that lasted four hours and 38 minutes at Flushing Meadows, New York.
How the Comeback Unfolded
Michelsen, the younger American, dominated the opening two sets and was serving for the match at 5-4 in the third when the momentum shifted decisively. Tiafoe broke at 15 and then proceeded to win 17 of the final 22 points of that set, igniting a turnaround that looked improbable just minutes earlier.
The fifth set appeared to swing back toward Michelsen as he raced to a 3-0 lead, but Tiafoe refused to yield. He broke in the fifth game to level proceedings and the two traded holds until a match tiebreak, where the No. 11 seed seized control with a minibreak at 3-2 and never relinquished the lead.
Historic Milestone at Flushing Meadows
With the victory, Tiafoe has now reached the US Open semi-finals for the third time — having previously done so in 2022 and 2024. In doing so, he became the first American man to reach the US Open semi-finals three times this century, a feat last achieved by Andre Agassi across 2002, 2003, and 2005.
Notably, the 28-year-old now carries a 3-17 record in Grand Slam matches when trailing by two sets — two of those three wins have come in 2025 alone. Earlier this year, he mounted a similar two-set comeback against Jaime Faria in the third round of Roland Garros.
A Moment of Sportsmanship
The post-match scene was as striking as the tennis itself. After converting match point, Tiafoe cut short his celebration and ran directly to a visibly emotional Michelsen. The two shared a long embrace, with Michelsen sobbing on Tiafoe's shoulder — a moment that resonated well beyond the result.
What Comes Next
Tiafoe will next face either defending champion and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz or compatriot Ben Shelton in the semi-finals. He has previously met Alcaraz once at this hard-court major and Shelton on two occasions, giving him a measure of familiarity with either potential opponent. A place in the US Open final is now firmly in sight for the Maryland-born star.
Point of View
Yet he has done it twice in the same calendar year. The Agassi comparison is historically apt but also carries weight: Agassi's late-career US Open runs were built on experience, court craft, and an ability to slow the match down mentally. Tiafoe appears to be developing exactly that. The real question heading into the semi-final is whether he can sustain that mental intensity against Alcaraz, who has shown he can both accelerate and absorb pressure better than almost anyone in the draw.
NationPress
9 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Tiafoe vs Michelsen US Open match?
Frances Tiafoe defeated Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) in the US Open quarter-finals on Tuesday. The match lasted four hours and 38 minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
How many times has Tiafoe reached the US Open semi-finals?
Tiafoe has now reached the US Open semi-finals three times, in 2022, 2024, and 2025. He is the first American man to achieve this feat in the 21st century, surpassing a mark last set by Andre Agassi.
Who will Tiafoe face in the US Open semi-finals?
Tiafoe will face either defending champion and World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz or fellow American Ben Shelton in the semi-finals. He has previously played Alcaraz once at the US Open and Shelton on two occasions.
What was the significance of the 0-3 fifth-set deficit Tiafoe overcame?
Trailing 0-3 in the fifth set after already being two sets down made Tiafoe's situation almost unrecoverable by standard Grand Slam statistics. He broke in the fifth game to level on serve and then won the match tiebreak, completing one of the more improbable comebacks of this year's tournament.
What is Tiafoe's record when two sets down at Grand Slams?
Tiafoe's record when trailing two sets in Grand Slam matches now stands at 3-17. Notably, two of those three wins have come in 2025, including a comeback against Jaime Faria at Roland Garros earlier this year.
