An embrace at the net brought an emotional end to the US Open quarterfinal between Alex Michelsen and Frances Tiafoe. Michelsen cried after losing a two-set lead, while Tiafoe interrupted his celebration to comfort the younger American following four hours and 39 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium on September 8.
Michelsen had been close to his first Grand Slam semifinal. He won the opening sets 7-5, 6-3 and served for the match at 5-4 in the third. Two double faults and other errors gave Tiafoe a route back, eventually sending the contest into a fifth set.
Even a 3-0 advantage in the decider proved insufficient. Tiafoe forced a super tiebreak and won it 10-6 to complete a 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 comeback. It secured his third US Open semifinal appearance in five years.
The result was especially painful for Michelsen because he had not dropped a set before the quarterfinal. Tiafoe said he understood the disappointment from his own five-set losses and reminded the 22-year-old that further opportunities would come. Despite the ending, Michelsen's first major quarterfinal represented a clear step forward on tennis's biggest stage.