Show only key events Please enable JavaScript to use this feature “I played incredible tennis, but something special happened today,” Tiafoe tells James Blake. “He is one of the best players of all time! I had problems in the past, I didn’t have the maturity in these big matches. I feel in a better place now.” “I’m not thinking about my next fight right now,” she adds (it’s against Rublev, btw). “Today is an incredible day.” He was overcome with emotion after matches, having played with incredible composure to see this match out.
Francis Tiafoe beat Rafael Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3!
While everyone is wondering how Tiafoe will handle the serve for the match, the American has other ideas. He plays on Nadal’s mistakes to go 0-40 up and while he loses his first match, Rafa scores in the next. Everything is over! Francis Tiafoe celebrates after winning the match point. Photo: Robert Deutsch/USA Today SportsTiafoe shakes hands after defeating Rafael Nadal. Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images Updated 23.18 BST Fourth set: Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 5-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server) This was great from Tiafoe, playing fearlessly and (almost) flawlessly – but a slightly nervous backhand at net gives hope to Rafa at 40-30. He grabs a volley but drops an unstoppable ace on the duo. Nadal takes the next point, but Tiafoe steps up his serve to take a game away. Fourth set: *Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 4-3 Nadal (denotes next server) Another break point opportunity for Tiafoe, who has won the last three games since being broken for the 3-1. the roof was closed. Nadal throws everything at his opponent, but he sends it all back, and a tired Nadal finally nets! Yeah right. Fourth set: Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 3-3 Nadal (*denotes next server) Some shaky moments for Tiafoe, but finds an ace when it matters and consolidates the break. His coach, Wayne Ferreira, looks approving – the pair have worked hard to make Tiafoe harder to beat in these big fights. Francis Tiafoe is coming back at Rafael Nadal. Photo: Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images Updated 23.06 BST Fourth set: *Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 2-3 Nadal (denotes next server) Nadal continues to fight but is not at 100% – and two double faults here show the extent of his his discomfort. Tiafoe has a chance to come back and buries a winner. We are back in service! Fourth set: Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 1-3 Nadal (*denotes next server) Tiafoe is unhappy with the situation – he tells the umpire that the noise is affecting him. It closes in the middle of the match, but not before Tiafoe presents Nadal with two break points with a missed volley. Nadal takes the second, punishing some poor shots with a cross winner! Fourth set: *Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 1-2 Nadal (denotes next server) Nadal holds and the decision is made to close the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Somewhat surprisingly, they will play with the wheels in motion. Updated at 22.36 BST Fourth set: Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 1-1 Nadal (*denotes next server) Some textbook forehand from Nadal keeps Tiafoe on his toes, but first serve takes the American out from suffering. It wasn’t particularly accurate, but once they land, they won’t come back. Fourth set: *Tiafoe 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 0-1 Nadal (*denotes next server) Tiafoe leads 15-30 but Nadal mounts a blistering rally before holding his hands up . It won’t go quietly, but Tiafoe gets right into it to get a break point. A big second serve saves Nadal and he finds an ace and another unreturned first serve. Nadal is out again for treatment so there will be a short delay before the fourth set. Tiafoe looks to be in control of this match, but we’re talking about Rafael Nadal. While we wait, here’s Tumaini Carayol for Jessica Pegula, who is somehow making an under-the-radar run despite being the top US female player. Francis Tiafoe wins the third set, leads 2-1! Thank you, Daniel. Nadal holds serve quite comfortably – now, can he put the pressure on Tiafoe? He takes the first point but Tiafoe will not be denied, moving freely on his way to two set points. And an ace out makes it. Francis Tiafoe celebrates after winning the third set. Photo: Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports Updated at 22.20 BST Right, that’s me for tonight. But fear not! Niall McVeigh is here to guide you next. Ta-ra! Nadal goes 0-15, then comes a 132mph ace, right around the corner. Oh yes, and another! Still, when Tiafoe is at 40-30 and second serve, there’s a bit of pressure… so he gets behind it, forcing Nadal to go for something wild instead of putting the ball back in play, and now he’s a game away from third set at 6-4 4-6 5-3! Updated 22.02 BST In Armstrong, Azarenka and Pliskova are out. Apparently it’s going to rain in the next hour. I imagine that given how wet they left Ashe earlier this afternoon, they’ll be more proactive in closing the Quicksmart roof. Hello though! Tiafoe takes 30-40 and his second break point in the match! AND HE TAKES IT, hitting a glorious backhand down the line, one of those he knew he was going to nail before he got there, so he ran through it and straight back to his seat! He’s buzzing! Tiafoe 6-4 4-6 4-3 Nadal Leading 3-2, Nadal hits a nice, deep return to make it 0-15 and Martina tells us that while her mom was watching her play, she wore sunglasses so no one could see her eyes closed – he couldn’t look. Oh, I love that – I have no idea how parents of athletes keep it down, I know I couldn’t. Anyway, Tiafoe keeps that 15, sealing the deal with a ridiculous ace clocked at 138 mph. “Come on Frances, hit it!” says Martina. “I want to see 140, stop doing that!” It’s 3-3 in the third. Back to Ashe, we’re dead level at 6-4 4-6 2-2, both men serving like demons. You’ve got to love Nadal, obviously, but Tiafoe gets it right – but can he stay that way when it’s tight? Updated at 21.52 BST Swiatek is happy to win and grateful for the vocal support she receives from any Pole she hits wherever she plays. The main thing for her is the result, but she tries to focus on the process and is happy to have made the last eight, the furthest she has ever gone at Flushing Meadows. She was wearing headphones when she came out, so when asked what she’s been listening to, she told us it’s Pearl Jam and Led Zep – she’s sick of it, but the year has been so good that she doesn’t feel like changing things up.
Every Swiatek [1] beats Jule Niemeier 2-6 6-4 6-0!
This is her 19th romance set of the year! Rrr ridiculous. He didn’t play well today, but he found a way and meets Pegula next. This is a different challenge, but I’m sure she’ll be up for it again, while Niemeier has a lot to build on – this was her first US Open and she’s only 23. Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning against Jule Niemeier. Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images Updated at 21.35 BST Niemeier loses three break points and is down 0-5 in the third. It will be a strength, though, I think – and will be all the better for this affliction, though I’m sure it doesn’t feel that way right now. Yes, but also on Ashe, Nadal raises the first break points of the match which are also set points. Tiafoe serves double and we are now tied at 6-4 4-6. It’s typical Nadal really, apparently on the verge of physical collapse, but nowhere really. O Jule! I’m afraid to say it’s gone: Swiatek isn’t playing that well, but she just secured the double break to love for 4-0 in the decider. On the comms they think Niemeier has played with his opponent not the ball, but I wonder if they might just squish it – it’s crazy hot out there and I doubt the pressure is particularly chilling. At 4-4 in set two, Nadal flies low and tired, sends a double and gives Tiafoe a break at deuce. Tiafoe is there for it too, only to go early on an easy ball and push into the net. Anguish! Naturally, Nadal lands an excellent forehand on the next point and now leads 5-4 in the second, while Swiatek consolidates her break to lead Niemeier, struggling on her second serve, 3-0 in the third. Rafael Nadal serves to Francis Tiafoe. Photo: Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports Updated at 21.30 BST Facing two break points, Niemeyer saves the first with a terrific serve out backed up by a mistimed clearing forehand into the same corner, then another powerful forehand encourages Swiatek to respond big. But Swiatek continues, finally securing the break, and Niemier has to recover, quickly. trailing 0-2 in the decision. Calvin Betton, our coach in charge, texts again about Tiafoe: “Tiafoe is too nice a kid to be one of the elite. He is not a murderer.” However, Nadal just doesn’t move like he usually does, and he gets hit from behind. I really like him to bring it home – although Nadal has only been to love and lost just two service points this set. Eesh, Niemeier gives up another break, the seventh we’ve seen in eight games, and this time it costs her the set because she’s run out of break opportunities. Sviatek 2-6 6-4 Niemeyer Nadal is serving well now, but the problem for him is that Tiafoe is too. What is surprising, however, is that nothing has changed, still struggling to make money when faced with a second delivery. So in comms, they wonder if his body limits what he can do – “It doesn’t make sense for someone of his stature to do what doesn’t work,” says Martina. Anyway, it’s 2-2 in the second, Tiafoe takes the first 6-4. Francis Tiafoe has no comeback. Photo: Cj Gunther/EPA Updated at 21.39 BST Luckily, Niemeier gets herself 30-40… and Swiatek double faults to return the…
