Alcaraz stops Tiafoe’s run in the U.S. Open

At the U.S. Open semifinals, Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe participated in a high-calibre, high-energy show. No ball was out of reach, no point was finished when it appeared to be, and no angle was too bold.

One session had so many “What?! How?!” moments from both players that Arthur Ashe Stadium spectators stood up before it was ended and continued to do so while cheering and enjoying a replay on the TV displays.

Ultimately, Alcaraz received enough victories, and Tiafoe’s racket was to blame for a disproportionate number of errors. By defeating Tiafoe at Flushing Meadows on Friday night with a score of 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3, Alcaraz advanced to his first Grand Slam final and, in the process, earned himself a chance to reach No. 1 at the age of 19.

Unbelievable shot-making, gets, prolonging points, and insane shots… at crazy times made the match “so electrifying,” according to Tiafoe. Yes, I was becoming agitated.

Alcaraz appeared to take charge by winning nine out of ten games in a row, and he had a chance to conclude the match when he had match point in the fourth set. The 26th-ranked Tiafoe, however, saved it and soon began shouting, “I’m putting my heart on the line!” with some colourful language added for emphasis. Soon after that, Tiafoe was forcing a fifth set and advancing to a U.S. Open semifinal. tiebreakers: 8-0 open record.

Despite playing a third consecutive five-set match, including a quarterfinal victory that took place in 5 hours and 15 minutes and ended at 2:50 a.m., Alcaraz shown no indications of exhaustion. the latest finish in tournament history on Thursday — and improved when it mattered, winning four of the final five games.

Nearly two hours after defeating Tiafoe, Alcaraz declared, “I feel terrific right now,” before adding, “I mean, a little bit fatigued.”

With so much at stake, No. 3 Alcaraz will now compete against No. 7 Casper Ruud for the title on Sunday. The winner will become the first major champion and take the top spot in the rankings the following week.

Alcaraz stated, “It’s fantastic to be able to fight for large things.

Alcaraz and Tiafoe, who were both playing in their first major semifinal, put on an incredibly entertaining show for the first few sets and a little over an hour. They then did it again for the end of the fourth set and the beginning of the fifth.

A sellout crowd of more than 23,000 people, including former first lady Michelle Obama, saw Tiafoe, a 24-year-old from Maryland who defeated 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round. Tiafoe frequently requested — and received — louder cheers. That he was the first American man to compete in the semifinals at Flushing Meadows in 16 years comes as no surprise.

In a unique opportunity for the losing player in a match to address the fans in an on-court interview, Tiafoe said, “I feel I let you goys down.” This hurts, this hurts terribly, really bad.

Spanish-born Alcaraz, who is now the youngest American, is well-liked throughout the world and largely regarded as a future sports star. Open men’s finalist from any nation since 1990, when Pete Sampras, then 19 years old, won the trophy.

The crowd sang “Olé, Olé, Olé! Carlos!” in a soccer-style after Alcaraz went up 2-0 in the fourth.

People were supporting him too because they like watching that player play, according to Tiafoe. Naturally, I would have preferred to win tonight, but I believe tennis prevailed, and the audience received what they wanted. I only wish I had earned the victory.

Alcaraz then addressed the crowd, first in English and then in Spanish, thanking them for their support in his struggle for “every point, every ball,” while tapping his chest and said this was “for my family, for my team, for me, for all of you.”

People cheered “Ruuuuud!” when the winner’s last name was announced during the first semifinal of the day, which included a 55-shot point to end the first set. It sounded more like boos than cheers. Ruud triumphed in the drawn-out contest, took the lead early, and eventually defeated Karen Khachanov 7-6 (5), 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

Regarding the lengthiest section of this U.S., Ruud, a 23-year-old Norwegian, stated, “Towards the conclusion.” The legs were nearly shaking, and the pulse was becoming very high.

The biggest ever climb to No. 1 will either be made by Ruud, who finished second to Nadal at the French Open in June, or by Alcaraz, who will become the youngest man to hold the position since the ATP’s computerised rankings started in 1973.

Between Tiafoe and Alcaraz, there were a lot of noteworthy conversations and encounters. One came in the third game of the second set when Alcaraz turned back a break point and held. Tiafoe jokedly climbed across the net to Alcaraz’s side to shake hands at the conclusion of the game.

No one could have complained about the outcome if this semifinal had ended there and then. It would continue for 4 hours and 19 minutes in total.

They were equals for extended periods of time, including until 6-all in the first tiebreaker, and they wore matching shirts with red on the front, white on the back, and burgundy on the side.

Alcaraz gave away a fifth set chance by putting a backhand wide. After saving four set points by that point, Tiafoe had an easy time converting that one when Alcaraz double-failed. Alcaraz hung his head, made his way to his sideline seat, and whacked his equipment bag with his racket as the audience cheered.

In the second set, he recovered and broke to take the lead. At this crucial point, Alcaraz was serving at 5-3 but was on break point. In order to deny Tiafoe that opportunity, he smashed a cross-court forehand winner. This started a run in which Alcaraz scored 11 straight games and 19 of 22 to win that set and take a 4-0 lead in the third.

Alcaraz frequently rips the ball with reckless abandon, but also strangely with accuracy, aiming for the lines and hitting them. With shots that caught the outer border of the white paint with no room to spare, he won no fewer than three points in the opening set.

After one, Tiafoe strolled over to Alcaraz’s trainer, 2003 French Open champion and former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, for a brief, lighthearted conversation. But make no mistake, Alcaraz is not a baseliner who hangs back. He displayed his prowess by winning games with acrobatic volleys, feathery drop shots, and flawlessly parabolic lobs. He possesses a diverse, all-court game.

Tiafoe was also outstanding and was having a blast the entire time, with the exception of the slump in the second and third sets and late in the fifth.

Tiafoe declared, “I’m coming back, and I’m going to win this thing one day.”