Tiafoe's epic comeback against Alcaraz at the US Open

This US Open is very strange. He was born strange due to the uncertainty with the current champion, the Spanish Carlos Alcarazand the world number one, the Italian Jannik Sinnercontinued with daily surprises that have left the German Alexander Zverev surrounded by unexpected teammates: Botic Van de Zandschulp, Karen Khachanov and Alexander Blockx.

Even extraordinary, which is not so unexpected because of who he is, is the behavior of Carlos Alcaraz. He deserves all the praise, regardless of how his title defense ends. Four and a half months off have not affected his performance.

The Murcian has become a headache for USA tennis. He already left out in the round of 16 Tommy Paulhas a quarterfinal duel with Ben Shelton, knowing that in the semifinals, if he passes, another American awaits him.

The USA quarterfinal duel ended in tears. It was dramatic. The applicant, Alex Michelsen22 years old and No. 46, cried on the shoulder of Frances Tiafoe, 28 years old and No. 12, after 4h.38′ battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

Alex Michelsen, frustrated, had an advantage several times to qualify, but did not achieve itSeth Wenig/Ap-LaPresse

Michelsen, who had not lost a single set in the four previous matches, sent two sets to zero, had options in the third and fifth to certify the pass, but tension and inexperience played tricks on him.

Tiafoe, with more draws, will play his third semifinal in Flushing Meadows, after the experiences of 2022 and 2024. The first, in another five-set marathon against Carlos Alcarazhis hypothetical opponent on Friday, with permission from the left-hander Ben Shelton.

Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, right, and Alex Michelsen, of the United States, embrace after Tiafoe won their match during the quarterfinal round of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) — Frances Tiafoe, comforting Alex MichelsenSeth Wenig/Ap-LaPresse

Tiafoe won 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 and 7-6 (10-6 in the super tiebreak). In the final hug Michelsen broke down emotionally. Crying about what could have been and wasn’t and also about taking away all the pressure that he hadn’t dealt with as well as he would have liked.

Tiafoe is a warrior, he came back from 3-5 down in the third set, winning a 4-0 run to survive. In the fifth he went on the counter again, but recovered from 0-3. The finalist from Cincinnati is the player with the most victories on hard courts this season, 26-10.