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Tiafoe Completes Two-Set-Down US Open Quarterfinal Comeback

9/9/2026

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Summary

Tiafoe comeback

Frances Tiafoe rallied from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen, reaching the US Open semifinals.
The four-hour-38-minute match was the longest US Open quarterfinal since 2019.
It was the first two-set-down quarterfinal comeback since Roger Federer in 2014 and the fifth in the Open era.
Tiafoe will face the Ben Shelton–Carlos Alcaraz winner on September 11, preserving American hopes.

Summary

Michelsen Rises

Michelsen will rise to No. 33 in the ATP rankings after his US Open quarterfinal run.
Coach Kristof Vliegen praised Michelsen’s consistent level all year and called the quarterfinal breakthrough significant.
Girlfriend Caroline accompanied him on tour, providing emotional support during the US Open.
Michelsen said he will learn from the loss and expects to return to Grand Slam quarterfinals.

History

Historical Context

In 2014 Roger Federer logged a record 57 consecutive Grand Slam appearances and reached the US Open semifinals, underscoring his longevity at the sport’s biggest stage. Two decades later, Frances Tiafoe’s 2024 US Open quarter-final comeback from two sets down echoes that tradition, reviving American hopes as newcomer Alex Michelsen broke into the top-40.

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Tiafoe comeback

Frances Tiafoe rallied from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen, reaching the US Open semifinals.
The four-hour-38-minute match was the longest US Open quarterfinal since 2019.
It was the first two-set-down quarterfinal comeback since Roger Federer in 2014 and the fifth in the Open era.
Tiafoe will face the Ben Shelton–Carlos Alcaraz winner on September 11, preserving American hopes.

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