Key events
Michelsen breaks: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 0-2 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Michelsen, remember, has never won a match in five sets, so he’ll be pleased to be serving first and able to put some scoreboard pressure on Tiafoe. Cue a Tiafoe dip to 0-30. And Tiafoe then opts to leave Michelsen’s shot, thinking it’s going to land out, but it drops in! 0-40. And just to add another twist to this psychodrama, Michelsen breaks to love! The initiative is back with the younger American for the first time since the third set!
Fifth set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 0-1 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
Michelsen opens the decider with a love hold. Back to you, Frances …
Tiafoe wins the fourth set 6-3
Tiafoe, showing none of the nerves that gripped Michelsen when serving for the match a set ago, eases to 40-15, two set points. And Michelsen biffs a backhand return well out! When Tiafoe snatched the third set, there seemed something rather inevitable about this quarter-final going to five, and Tiafoe – and the crowd – have got what they wanted. And now this match is level, will the spectators go back to not knowing who to support? Let’s see. What does seem a reasonable assertion is that Tiafoe, with his greater experience, know-how and better five-set record, will be the favourite from here. But if this match has reminded us of anything, it’s that we should make predictions at our peril.
Fourth set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 5-3 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
Michelsen will want to hold serve here, not only to prolong this set, but also, if this match is to go to five sets, he’ll want to be serving first in the decider, to put some scoreboard pressure on Tiafoe. And after a pep talk from his team courtside, he holds with the minimum of fuss, to love, rounding things off with yet another ace.
Fourth set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 5-2 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Now it’s Tiafoe’s turn to wobble on serve at 15-40. An ace – only his third of the day compared with Michelsen’s 17 – fends off the first break point … and Michelsen errs with his forehand on the second! Michelsen looks down on himself at deuce, kicking himself for those missed opportunities, and Tiafoe seizes on that frustration to hold. He’s a game away from forcing a decider.
Tiafoe breaks: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 4-2 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
But the momentum shifts in the past hour have been sudden and jarring, and here’s another, as Michelsen, after all of his good work in the previous game, slumps 15-40 down on serve. Tiafoe can’t secure the first break point, but he does the second, when he outlasts Michelsen, who bashes into the net! Tiafoe wrests back control of this fourth set with the 14th break (!!) of this compelling quarter-final, even though it is rather up and down in quality.
Michelsen breaks: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 3-2 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Michelsen, buoyed by his mini-revival, magics up a ludicrous backhand winner on the run! It’s 15-40; he’s got two chances to break back. He pushes long on the first break point, leaps into an inviting second serve on the second, crushing and rushing to the net … and Tiafoe picks him off with the pass! Deuce. Advantage Michelsen. A third BP comes and goes, and now Michelsen is chuntering to himself. A game of cat and mouse ensues … and Michelsen is raising his arms repeatedly to the crowd, imploring them to cheer for him too, as he emerges victorious! As the game clock nears nine minutes, Michelsen secures a fourth BP … and a draining duel eventually ends in his favour!
Fourth set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 3-1 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
Michelsen staunches the flow of seven games against him with a hold to 30, helped by a couple of aces. That’ll have felt good. The world No 46 gets a game by his name in this fourth set.
Fourth set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 3-0 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. After all of his serving woes for most of the first three sets, Tiafoe’s serve is transformed. And he’s finally found the energy, focus and intensity that downed Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the previous round.
Tiafoe breaks: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 2-0 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself here, but Tiafoe has won four out of nine fifth sets he has played at the US Open in his career, while Michelsen has lost five out of five fifth sets on the ATP Tour. And even though it’s early in the fourth, the smart money would be on this quarter-final going to a decider, when Michelsen thwacks a backhand into the net at 30-40! Michelsen’s mind is scrambled and Tiafoe is bouncing around the court like a man who knows this match may well now be his for the taking.
Fourth set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
It’s the first set Michelsen has dropped this fortnight. And he’s rattled. He gives a celebrating Tiafoe a sarcastic thumps up – but Tiafoe doesn’t take the bait, just responding with a smile. Michelsen needs to refocus fast, which he does, getting to deuce on Tiafoe’s serve in the first game of the fourth set … and then break point when Tiafoe appears to trip on the court before hitting long. Tiafoe slams down a 135mph serve. Deuce. Advantage Tiafoe. Deuce. Advantage Tiafoe. And an attritional game is won by the man with the momentum. That’s five games on the spin now.
Tiafoe takes the third set 7-5
Michelsen lands his serve … but Tiafoe is still able to tonk a return winner! Even Michelsen is applauding. But he’s probably feeling rather queasy when Tiafoe takes the second point too, with a winning volley. 0-30. Tiafoe is two points from the set. Michelsen gamely gets back to 30-all … but then rushes a backhand and nets. It’s 30-40, set point Tiafoe. Who would have predicted this 10 minutes ago? Michelsen finds his first serve when it matters to save the set point. But Tiafoe, now twice the player he was earlier in this match, quickly has a second … and Michelsen slashes a forehand into the net! With the match on Michelsen’s racket, Tiafoe has taken four games in a row to steal the third set!
Third set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 6-5 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
15-0, 30-0, 30-15, 40-15, game Tiafoe. Every point won by him now is met by a determined clenched fist and a huge roar from the crowd. They’re desperate for a fourth set. And unless Michelsen holds serve here, they’ll get one. Can Michelsen rediscover his first serve, which went awol when he was serving for the match?
Tiafoe breaks: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 5-5 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
Perhaps, as he coughs up a double fault on the opening point! And another on the second!! A wry smile from Michelsen; his mum, meanwhile, is grimacing. She can hardly bear to watch. Michelsen scrambles to 15-30 with a deep forehand to Tiafoe’s backhand … but he can’t buy a first serve at the moment, and Tiafoe has 15-40! Michelsen looks as if his racket weighs about 100kg and his shoes are filled with stones. And, weighed down by the pressure once more, Michelsen surrenders the break! Tiafoe isn’t done yet, he’s right back in this third set!
Third set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 4-5 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe, knowing that if he drops serve here the match is over, puts those three missed break points out of his mind to hold to 15, forcing Michelsen to try to serve this out. Michelsen has passed every test against his more vaunted fellow American so far … will this be any different?
Third set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 3-5 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
Look here! 0-15. 0-30. Two unforced errors from Michelsen, and Tiafoe could have a way back into this third set. And after some HUGE hitting from Tiafoe it’s 0-40! Is the comeback on? It’s not on the first break point … it’s not on the second, when Michelsen sends down a belligerent ace … and it’s not on the third, when a brave forehand from Michelsen is netted by Tiafoe! So from 0-40 it’s deuce and Michelsen makes Tiafoe pay for his profligacy, as he hammers a pass down the line which Tiafoe can only frame .. and then a stinging serve! C-L-U-T-C-H!
Third set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 3-4 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Michelsen did let slip a match point against Taylor Fritz before being beaten in the Washington quarter-finals in July, so perhaps not all hope is lost for Tiafoe, who lands a lob bang on the baseline for 40-15! He hasn’t had much to celebrate in this match, but he’s pumping his fist repeatedly after that shot. And from there he holds.
Third set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 2-4 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
It doesn’t look that way when Tiafoe tamely misses a second serve for 30-0, and despite getting on the board for 30-15, Tiafoe sees Michelsen move to 40-15 and game. Time is running out for Tiafoe.
Third set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 2-3 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
15-0, 30-0, 40-0. Tiafoe is on course for his most comfortable hold. Michelsen crunches a return winner on the fourth point, but can’t repeat the trick on the fifth, and Tiafoe, for once, comes through a swift service game … and he’ll be hoping it leaves him with extra energy to attack the Michelsen serve.
Third set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 1-3 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
Michelsen would, it seems, become the first unseeded player to reach the US Open semi-finals without dropping a set. But will he tighten as the finish line moves into sight? He nets a volley for 15-all … and then he’s too cautious with his approach shot, allowing Tiafoe to produce the passing winner. 15-30. But he’s unflinching on the next three points, playing like a grand slam champion rather than a player appearing in his first major quarter-final, and victory is now a little closer.
Third set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 1-2 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe, for what feels like the 1053rd time today, slips behind on serve, before producing one of his best points of the match for 30-all. Michelsen reasserts his control on the next point, though, out-powering Tiafoe, and he has a point for a double break … which could well be the match. Tiafoe is let off the hook when he doesn’t bury his smash. Deuce. Advantage Tiafoe. Game Tiafoe. He’s still alive … just.
Tumaini Carayol
It seemed for some time that Aryna Sabalenka would be consumed by the rage and anxiety that has smothered her for so much of this year. At 2-2 in the final set of her brutal quarter-final against Linda Noskova, a second double fault of the game damned Sabalenka to a 0-40 deficit. She instantly fell to her knees, bowed her head and screamed. She soon trailed 2-4 in the set.
Over her past five arduous months, Sabalenka has reliably unravelled under pressure. However, at the final grand slam tournament of the year, with her US Open title and No 1 ranking on the line, this was her very last chance to salvage her season. Somehow, the top-seeded Sabalenka finally had a response as she recovered to win an astonishing match and reach the semi-finals with a 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (7) win over Noskova, the sixth seed.
Before the tournament, it was clear that the intense depth at the top of the women’s game, where each of the top 11 players currently hold a big title, meant there are so many worthy title candidates. The quarter-finals lineup reflects this embarrassment of riches. Each of the top six seeds reached the last eight, with five of them being grand slam champions along with the perennial top-five player Jessica Pegula and the Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen.
A meeting between the defending US Open champion and the new Wimbledon champion was top of the list of the highly anticipated tussles and it developed into one of the best matches of the year. This was a spectacular exhibition of unfiltered first-strike tennis. The quality of serving from both sides of the net was supreme, with Noskova firing down 18 aces and Sabalenka finishing with 46% unreturned serves, including a statement second-serve ace to close out a tight tie-break set. Both players fearlessly forced themselves inside the baseline, Sabalenka’s searing power contrasted with Noskova’s sweet timing and precise changes of direction.
You can read the rest of Tumaini’s match report here:
Third set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 3-6, 0-2 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
A double fault gives Tiafoe a sniff at 30-all. Michelsen snuffs it out with an unreturned serve … but Tiafoe comes back at him for deuce with a thunderous forehand winner. The crowd are roaring … they want a comeback … but they’re sighing when he nets on the next point. And now Michelsen is roaring as he sends Tiafoe one way and then the other, drawing the error. Tiafoe right now looks like a man resigned to defeat.
Michelsen breaks: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-6, 0-1 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe takes his leave, heading off court to regroup, and he will be buoyed, at least, by the knowledge that he has come from two sets to love down twice in his career before, including at the French Open this year. He also knows he can play much better than he has so far – but he can’t afford to keep giving Michelsen a head start when his opponent is receiving – but he does so again here, and it’s 15-40. He’s been behind in every service game bar two, which is inexplicable really after nearly one hour and 40 minutes. He pulls off the pass for 30-40 … but Michelsen strikes on the second break point, to extend Tiafoe’s misery – and his own lead to two sets and a break.
Michelsen wins the second set to lead 7-5, 6-3
A smart serve – as Michelsen opts for precision over pace – secures the opening point with an ace. And Tiafoe has got a ball abuse warning to add to his time violation from a few games ago when he whacks a ball in anger halfway to Manhattan after sliding 30-0 down. A 133mph ace brings up three set points … Tiafoe saves the first two, the second with great hands at the net … but Michelsen, showing such fine movement for a man who is 6ft 4in, marmalises a cross-court forehand to go two sets up! The 22-year-old grand slam quarter-final debutant still hasn’t dropped a set this tournament and is a set away from improbably reaching the last four.
Second set: Tiafoe 5-7, 3-5 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe, with his first-serve percentage now down at 38% as he attempts to stay in this second set, edges to 40-30, and gets over the line when Michelsen batters a backhand into the net. So Michelsen will be forced to serve this out.
Second set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 2-5 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game Michelsen. That’s how you back up the break.
Michelsen breaks: Tiafoe 5-7, 2-4 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe needs to find his serving mojo, though, if he’s to mount a serious comeback … and once more, he’s down, at 15-30. A quite ridiculous point follows, drawing ooohs and aaaaahs from the crowd, who’ve been rather quiet during this match because of their divided loyalties, and Michelsen eventually has Tiafoe on a piece of string, dragging him out wide to force the error! And that knocks the wind out of Tiafoe, who receives a slap on the wrists for ignoring the serve clock at 30-40, before being broken for the fifth time.
Tiafoe breaks: Tiafoe* 5-7, 2-3 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
But Michelsen, perhaps suddenly playing like a man who knows he has something to lose, promptly falls break point down at 30-40. Michelsen rams down a first serve to save it, but is soon facing a second BP … and this time he cuts Tiafoe down with a slice. This could prove to be a crucial game, with Michelsen trying to extend his supremacy and Tiafoe battling to get back into this quarter-final. And Michelsen rather hands the break back with a double fault and netted forehand!
Michelsen breaks: Tiafoe 5-7, 1-3 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Tiafoe has been behind in every service game apart from one and this game is no different. 0-15. 0-30. 0-40. Tiafoe has described the support from the home crowd this tournament as like “an out-of-body experience … it’s like you’re not even touching the ground … the energy is so high” – but he’s not been bouncing around the court today. He does, however, show plenty of energy on the first break point, sprinting to his right to fire off a forehand cross-court winner. But Michelsen steps into the baseline on the third BP to punish Tiafoe’s tame serve. Michelsen leads by a set and a break and it’s no less than he deserves.
Second set: Tiafoe* 5-7, 1-2 Michelsen (*denotes next server)
Both these men – as if they need reminding – are trying to break the much-talked-about 23-year grand slam singles drought for American men, and Ben Shelton is still in the running too, though he has the unenviable task of facing Carlos Alcaraz later, with the winner of each match to meet in the semi-finals. The perennially popular Alcaraz will turn out to be the villain for once if he were to take out Shelton and then Tiafoe or Michelsen to reach the final. But I’m getting ahead of myself … Michelsen holds to 30 despite a second double fault.
Second set: Tiafoe 5-7, 1-1 Michelsen* (*denotes next server)
Michelsen, now 13-0 for sets won this fortnight, opens the second set with a hold to 15, before applying more pressure on the Tiafoe serve at deuce. Tiafoe has landed only three serves into the ad box all match. He’s not going to reach a third US Open semi-final serving like that. But he advances to game point … and this time manages to ping a first serve down the T on the ad side, and Michelsen can’t get it back into play. Tiafoe’s on the board in set two.
Elsewhere: Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, the top seeds in the women’s doubles, are just getting under way in their quarter-final, as are Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, the five-time men’s wheelchair doubles champions, in their opening match.
