Frances Tiafoe will be playing in the 2023 US Open quarterfinals once again after beating Rinky Hijikata to reach the last eight.
It's been a terrific day for the American tennis so far. First, Ben Shelton bested Tommy Paul in a clash that guaranteed an American quarterfinalist, and a few hours later, Coco Gauff defeated former world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki to also reach the quarterfinals.
Last year, Tiafoe achieved his best career result at the US Open, when he stunned Rafael Nadal and reached the semifinals. This year, he would like to at least match that result, and now, he's only one step away from doing so, after dismissing a challenge from world no. 110 in the ATP Rankings, Rinky Hijikata.
The two never met before on the ATP Tour, and the match held a big significance as a spot in the quarterfinals was at stake. Tiafoe had been sensational prior to this match and he entered the at the Louis Armstrong Stadium with the same level and intensity.
Early in the first set, both players held their serves comfortably, but in the ninth game of the opening set, the American broke his opponent's serve to start the one-man show that everyone waited for on Sunday night.
Tiafoe would go on to win 10 of eleven games played since 4-4 in the first set, taking also the second set 6-1, and having three break points to go into a 2-0 lead in the third set. But his Australian opponent saved those, the same way he was able to recover when going down a break, twice, later in the set.
But eventually, Tiafoe added the third break of his opponent's serve in the third set, to win the match 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 and reach back-to-back US Open quarterfinals, meeting none other than his good friend Ben Shelton.
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