Tiafoe Survives Five-Set Thriller, Michelsen Left in Tears

Frances Tiafoe produced a remarkable comeback against fellow American Alex Michelsen to book his place in the US Open 2026 semifinals. The 22-year-old Michelsen looked firmly in control after winning the opening two sets 7-5, 6-3. However, Tiafoe refused to give up, using his experience and fighting spirit to take the third set 7-5 before leveling the contest with a 6-3 win in the fourth.

The deciding set turned into a tense battle, with both players fighting for every point. Tiafoe eventually held his nerve in the deciding tiebreak to win 7-6(10-6), completing a dramatic 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) victory. After the marathon contest, which lasted nearly five hours, Michelsen was overcome with emotion and broke down in tears. Tiafoe immediately comforted the youngster, hugging him and offering words of support. The heartwarming moment was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media.