ATP frances tiafoe Alex Michelsen US Open 2026

Tiafoe completes the wildest comeback at the US Open to reach the semifinals again

Fernando Murciego - 9 Sep 2026
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Tiafoe survives Michelsen and stages an epic comeback to return to the US Open semifinals. Source: Getty

If Frances Tiafoe didn't exist, we would have to invent him. This morning, when it seemed like he was on the ropes, when Arthur Ashe Stadium was already starting to envision a new American star, the Maryland player brought out all his competitive personality to stage one of those comebacks that explain why New York seems made for him. Tiafoe defeated Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, and 7-6(6) after 4 hours and 39 minutes and reached the semifinals of the US Open for the third time.

Michelsen had reached the quarter-finals without losing a single set and for much of the match confirmed why he had become one of the great revelations of the tournament. The 22-year-old Californian dominated the first two sets and was on the verge of victory. But when it came time to close out the match, the Tiafoe that New York loves so much showed up.

Two sets down and a crazy Arthur Ashe

The turning point came in the third set. Michelsen had chances to seal it, but Tiafoe refused to fade away. The American made a comeback when he was serving down 4-5, upped the aggression of his shots, and ended up taking the set 7-5. From that point on, the script changed completely. The world number 12 took control of the fourth set and forced a fifth set in which every point felt like the weight of an entire match.

And there came the final act. Neither player could pull ahead and everything ended in a tiebreak that turned into a battle of nerves. Tiafoe managed to keep his cool in the decisive moments and closed out the comeback 8-6.

The final image was as emotional as the match. While Tiafoe celebrated his third semifinal in five years, Michelsen ended up in tears. His rival, still euphoric, immediately approached to hug and console him. Tiafoe is now among the top four in New York and is waiting for the winner of the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Tiafoe firma la remontada más salvaje del US Open para volver a semifinales