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Frances Tiafoe reaches U.S. Open semis, makes history
Frances Tiafoe's remarkable run in the U.S. Open continues. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Frances Tiafoe becomes first American man to reach U.S. Open semifinals since 2006

By Mike Santa Barbara  |  Last updated 9/7/22

American Frances Tiafoe's remarkable run in the U.S. Open continued on Wednesday night. 

Two days removed from an upset over Spain's Rafael Nadal, Tiafoe defeated Russia's Andrey Rublev, 6-7, 6-7, 4-6, to advance to his first career Grand Slam semifinal. 

Wednesday's feat wasn't just a career mark for Tiafoe, but it also snapped a nearly two-decade streak of bad luck for American men at the U.S. Open. Tiafoe became the first American man to advance to the U.S. Open semifinals since Andy Roddick did it in 2006, breaking a 16-year drought. 

The historic marks don't end there for Tiafoe. His win Wednesday night made him the first Black man to reach the U.S. Open semis since the legendary Arthur Ashe in 1972. Fittingly enough, Tiafoe reached the semifinal on the court named after Ashe. 

Tiafoe will face the winner of Wednesday night's quarterfinal matchup between Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Italy's Jannik Sinner. 

The 24-year-old will take on either Alcaraz or Sinner in the semifinals Friday after the women's semifinal match scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. 

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