A semi-finalist at last year’s US Open, Frances Tiafoe is on the charge again in 2023.
The American ended Australian Rinky Hijikata’s run in New York on Sunday when he produced an all-court display to triumph 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 in the fourth round.
Tiafoe demonstrated the magical touch that has helped him to a current career-high No. 10 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, pulling the World No. 110 from corner to corner. He also recovered from twice squandering a break advantage in the third set to advance to his third major quarter-final after two hours and three minutes.
"He has been quietly going through the draw and I had never played him before. When I broke in the first I really took off," Tiafoe said. "I got a little sloppy at the end but happy to be through and happy to be in the quarter-finals."
The 25-year-old, who was the first American since Andre Agassi (2002-’05) to reach the fourth round in New York for four consecutive years, will meet countryman Ben Shelton on Tuesday.
"He is 'Bugs Bunny'. He has got crazy energy, great energy and he is going to come after me and I am going to come after him," Tiafoe said of Shelton. "It is going to be a great battle and we are going to compete really hard. It will be in the big house and I plan to be in the semis."
If Taylor Fritz overcomes Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker later on Sunday, it will be the first time three Americans have advanced to the quarter-finals since 2005. The last time two Americans reached the last eight was in 2011, when John Isner and Andy Roddick advanced to that stage.
The 10th seed struck 27 winners against Hijikata and bounced back after failing to serve out the match at 5-3, breaking immediately to triumph.
"I got too relaxed and the feet got sloppy," Tiafoe said. "But a win is a win, especially in straights and overall I am really happy with my performance."
Wild card Hijikata was appearing in the fourth round at a major for the first time. The 22-year-old is up 29 spots to No. 81 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings.
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/Y4OmkFR
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