By Howard Feinrich
New York: Frances Tiafoe became the first American man to reach the US Open semi-finals since 2006 by beating Andrey Rublev 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-0), 6-4 behind the backing of a boisterous partisan crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).
The 24-year-old Tiafoe, who grew up in Maryland, put on a performance just as strong, if not stronger, than the one he used to eliminate 22-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.
The 22nd seed played aggressive, offensive tennis and used 18 aces along with strong net play to oust No. 9 Rublev, a Russian who dropped to 0-6 in major quarter-finals.
Andy Roddick was the last U.S. man to get to the last four at Flushing Meadows when he lost to Roger Federer in the title match 16 years ago. Roddick also was the last man from the country to win any grand slam singles championship, taking the 2003 US Open.
Tiafoe’s first career grand slam semi-final will come Friday against No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz or No. 11 Jannik Sinner.
In the women’s quarter-finals, No. 6 Aryna Sabalenka swatted aside Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) to reach her second straight US Open semi-final.
Frances Tiafoe is into the last four of a major for the first time.Credit:AP
The Belarusian underestimated her opponent in their previous two meetings last year, when= Pliskova defeated her in the Wimbledon and Montreal semi-finals, but she was in dominant form in New York as she fired down seven aces and never dropped serve.
“Today I expected a great level,” Sabalenka said. “I just tried to stay in this match as long as I can.”
Nothing went right for 2016 finalist Pliskova during the first set as she racked up 15 unforced errors and five double faults in 28 minutes.
But the Czech’s form improved considerably in the second set as she fended off the only break point she faced in the eighth game.
Aryna Sabalenka will face either world No.1 Iga Swiatek or American Jessica Pegula for a place in the final.Credit:Getty
Sabalenka kept her cool in the tiebreak and raised her arms in triumph after sealing victory with a forehand winner on her second match point.
“Right now I’m not going for aces I’m just trying to put my serve on the big targets,” she said.
“I’m ready for another fight and I think I just have to stay focused on myself.”
Sabalenka will play either world No.1 Iga Swiatek or Jessica Pegula, the last American left in the women’s draw, for a place in Saturday’s final.
AP/Reuters
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