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Frances Tiafoe will look to book his spot in a second US Open semi-final as the American takes on Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the final four.
Two years on from making his deepest run at a grand slam on home soil, Tiafoe has again looked in good form on the New York hard courts, surviving a five-set thriller against good friend Ben Shelton before beating Alexei Popyrin, conqueror of Novak Djokovic, to reach this stage. It is now 21 years since Andy Roddick became the last American man to taste success at Flushing Meadows, and Tiafoe will hope to end that drought.
But he faces a vastly experienced last-eight opponent in the classy Dimitrov, back to somewhere near his best in the last 12 months. The Bulgarian has returned to the top ten in the world rankings after a 2024 that has included an appearance in the final of the Miami Open, and he holds a head-to-head advantage over his opponent, winning three of four meetings between the pair.
In a week of unusually late starts, Tiafoe and Dimitrov took the court before 9pm.
The young American won the first set 6-3.
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The world number two, who was beaten at Flushing Meadows last year by Coco Gauff, proved to be too much for Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng to handle in a repeat of the Australian Open final in Melbourne.
The Belarussian was victorious, getting the better of her Chinese opponent with a final score of 6-1 6-2.
Jonathan Veal4 September 2024 04:00
In photos: Tiafoe and Dimitrov compete for a spot in the US Open semis
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 03:00
Tiafoe wins first set
Tiafoe won the first set 6-3.
The 26-year0ol dhas shifted from playing on the defensive to dominating as the match goes on.
The American has pulled Dimitrov from one corner to the next, moving up to the net, and put away irretrievable shots.
His Bulgarian counterpart, however, has an impressive serving record. He leads the league in the number of first serve points won. While his overall average is 85% of first serves won, this game he has won 67%.
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 02:51
Tiafoe breaks Dimitrov
He broke Dimitrov, now leading 3-2 in the first set.
The 26-year-old has been playing offensively, often coming up to the net. In some cases, Dimitrov has predicted that Tiafoe was approaching, offering him a lob, but in others, Dimitrov has been forced to make risky shots down the line.
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 02:33
Dimitrov leads in first few games
Both men have won on their serves. The rallies haven’t been long, typically ending with one of them making an unforced error within the first few shots as they still seem to be warming up.
So far, Dimitrov appears to be one step ahead of the young American. He has been accurately anticipating when he will move in and where he will try to land a drop shot.
In a highlight moment, Tiafoe recovered from a wide shot to his backhand with lob. Dimitrov returned with an overhead slam to the American’s forehand for a winner.
Dimitrov is up two games to one in the first set.
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 02:16
Dimitrov takes the first game
Dimitrov started off strong. He opened with an ace on the first point. And another ace on the second.
The 33-year-old Bulgarian largely had Tiafoe on the defensive, taking the first game with a killer shot that hit the outside of the right singles line.
The 26-year-old American is serving next…
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 02:03
Tiafoe and Dimitrov step onto the court
Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov are about to face off at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The player who wins will face American Taylor Fritz, the number 12 seed, in the semis.
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 01:50
Sabalenka wins in two quick sets
Sabalenka defeated Zheng 6-1, 6-1.
“She is playing such incredible tennis and it was tough facing her,” the Belarusian star said after her victory about Zheng.
She is heading for the semifinals where she will face American player Emma Navarro.
When asked what to do to get New Yorkers to support her in the semis, she joked: “Drinks on me!”
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 01:35
Tennis legend Roger Federer makes a cameo
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 01:30
Sabalenka is a force to be reckoned with in the quarters
Sabalenka has been dominating from the baseline, hitting with a power that has gone unreciprocated by Zheng.
The number 7 seed, meanwhile, has not only been forced to play defense, being pulled from one side of the court to the other, but also has struggled with her first serve.
The Belarusian player is now ahead by one set and currently up by 4 games to 1 in the second.
Kelly Rissman4 September 2024 01:19
