JapanToday Gleams Akihabara 703 2-8-16 Higashi-Kanda Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0031 Japan Tel: +81 3 5829 5900 Fax: +81 3 5829 5919 Email: editor@japantoday.com ©2022 GPlusMedia Inc.

Frances Tiafoe of the United States defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets to power into the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Wednesday.

Tiafoe, aiming to become the first African-American man to win the U.S. Open since Arthur Ashe in 1968, put on a scintillating performance to defeat Russian ninth seed Rublev 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/0), 6-4.

It was another superb giant-killing performance from the 24-year-old Tiafoe, who had eliminated Spanish legend Rafael Nadal in the fourth round on Tuesday.

"Man this is wild, this is crazy," Tiafoe said after his victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. "Having the biggest win of my life 24 hours ago and coming out and getting another big win. Andrey's a hell of a player, so to back it up is huge growth.

"Tough to turn the page but I did and now I'm in the semis...I always find a way somehow on this court. Let's enjoy this one – we've got two more guys, two more."

Tiafoe, seeded 22nd, will face Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz in the last four on Friday.

Alcaraz battled past Jannik Sinner in five sets in the latest ever finish in the tournament's 141-year history. A thrilling 5-hour, 15-minute duel that finished at 2:50 a.m. ended with the 19-year-old Alcaraz claiming a 6-3, 6-7 (7/9), 6-7 (0/7), 7-5, 6-3 victory to advance to a last-four showdown with Frances Tiafoe of the United States on Friday.

A crowd of a few thousand die-hard spectators roared their appreciation for Alcaraz as the Spaniard collapsed to the Arthur Ashe Stadium court in delight after a famous victory over Sinner, the 21-year-old Italian 11th seed.

In women's action, world number one Iga Swiatek reached her first U.S. Open semifinal with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) win over Jessica Pegula of the United States.

The French Open champion will face Aryna Sabalenka for a place in Saturday's final after making the last-four of a Slam for the third time in 2022.

"That will be a very tough match. There will be some fast serves and heavy hitting, just like tonight," said Swiatek

In a mistake-filled quarterfinal, there were 13 breaks of serve and a combined 61 unforced errors.

"It means a lot to be in the semi-finals for the first time," said Swiatek. "I am very happy as I have worked very hard but have kept my expectations low.

"It was a really tight match. I tried to push her back but she was putting pressure on me so that's what it went to a tiebreak."

Swiatek overcame giving up the first break of the match in the fifth game to reel off 16 of the next 18 points to claim the opening set in 38 minutes.

The 21-year-old Pole and American eighth seed exchanged three service breaks apiece in the first eight games in an untidy second set.

It was the French Open champion who carved out the seventh break on a net cord to give herself the opportunity to serve for the match.

Eighth-ranked Pegula roused herself to stay alive in the contest before a double fault on break point in the 11th game handed Swiatek a second opportunity to seal a spot in the semi-finals.

The top seed failed again as Pegula sealed the 10th break to send the set into a tiebreak which the Pole dominated to clinch a third win over the American this year.

Join the leaders of English Education for Children in Japan!

Congratulations to Tiafoe, his aggressive game improved vastly over the last few years, and it was a matter of time until going deep into a slam. He seems like a genuinely nice guy as well, and entertaining on the court. And his success story, growing up poor the son of immigrants working as janitors at a tennis club, is inspiring.

Unfortunately I couldn't see the match, but the highlights were entertaining, two attacking players slugging it out.

Tiafoe hoped for a marathon match between Alcaraz and Sinner, and he is getting it.

4 hours and 46 minutes now, and 2-1 Alcaraz in 5th set.

It was the longest (and many say the greatest) match at the US Open (more than 5 hours, finished at almost 3 am). The level was insane, the future of tennis is bright. I think this will become the next great rivalry

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Join the leaders of English Education for Children in Japan!

A mix of what's trending on our other sites