Frances Tiafoe beats Alex Michelsen in five sets to reach US Open semi

Tiafoe’s 4-Hour Comeback Cements His US Open Legacy

Frances Tiafoe’s five-set victory over Alex Michelsen at the 2026 US Open will be remembered as one of the most dramatic comebacks in the tournament’s history. The 28-year-old American, ranked No. 11, clawed his way back from 2-0 down to clinch a 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6) win after 4 hours and 38 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match, which saw Tiafoe overcome a 5-3 deficit in the fifth set, secured his third US Open semifinal berth and extended his record of reaching the final four at Flushing Meadows.

The turning point came in the third set when Michelsen, the 22-year-old unseeded American, served for the match at 5-4. A pair of double faults handed Tiafoe the game, sparking a seven-game streak that shifted the momentum. “He gave me some gifts with a couple of double faults there,” Tiafoe said post-match. “I slowly started getting my rhythm and kept getting better.”

Michelsen’s Collapse and Tiafoe’s Resilience

Michelsen, the world No. 46, had been dominant through the first four rounds of the tournament, dropping just one set. His unorthodox style — characterized by a booming serve and aggressive net play — had seen him defeat seeded opponents like Brandon Nakashima and Tomás Martín Etcheverry. But Tiafoe, a fan favorite known for his flair and resilience, found a way to counter the young American’s power.

After losing the first two sets, Tiafoe’s game began to click. He won seven consecutive games to take the third set, then broke Michelsen’s serve in the fourth to force a fifth. The final set was a seesaw battle, with Michelsen briefly leading 3-0 before Tiafoe clawed back to 4-4. The match ultimately came down to a 10-point tiebreak, which Tiafoe won 10-6 after a series of powerful serves and cross-court winners.

“He’s a hell of a player, and easily could have won today,” Tiafoe said of Michelsen, who collapsed in tears after the match. The two shared a post-match embrace, with Tiafoe offering words of encouragement to his fellow American. Michelsen, who had never before reached a Grand Slam semifinal, left the court heartbroken after his first career major quarterfinal.

A Historic Comeback and a New Chapter for Tiafoe

Tiafoe’s victory is the first time a player has come back from two sets down in a US Open quarterfinal since Roger Federer’s 2014 upset of Gael Monfils. It also marks the third time Tiafoe has reached the semifinals at Flushing Meadows, a feat only matched by Andre Agassi among American men this century. Despite never ranking higher than No. 10, Tiafoe has thrived on the hard courts of New York, where he has a 10-0 record at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The win also sets up a potential showdown with Carlos Alcaraz or Ben Shelton in the semifinals. Tiafoe, who lost to Alcaraz in the 2022 final and to Taylor Fritz in 2024, will aim to finally break his US Open semifinal curse. For Michelsen, the loss is a painful reminder of the razor-thin margins in tennis. “He’s a young guy with a lot of potential,” Tiafoe said. “He’s going to be a big name in this game.”

The match’s dramatic finish leaves unanswered questions about Michelsen’s ability to close out high-stakes matches, while cementing Tiafoe’s reputation as a late-game hero. As the US Open enters its final stages, all eyes will be on Tiafoe’s next challenge, and whether he can finally break through for his first major title.