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Francis Tiafoe has advanced to the semifinals at the US Open with a victory over Andrey Rublev.
The American Tiafoe defeated Rublev in commanding fashion, winning in straight sets 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.
After a win Monday over number two ranked Rafael Nadal, Tiafoe defeated the number nine ranked Rublev Wednesday afternoon.
The child of immigrant parents from Sierra Leone, the quarterfinals were the furthest Tiafoe had reached at the US Open in his career. Now he has surpassed his own achievements, advancing to the semifinals.
“Man this is wild, this is crazy. I had the biggest win of my life almost 24 hours ago. And now another big win,” Tiafoe said after his match.
“Let’s enjoy this one. We got two more guys, two more.”
Tiafoe is the first Black man to reach a US Open semifinal since tennis legend Arthur Ashe did in 1972. Tiafoe reached the semifinal on the same court named after Ashe.
Tiafoe is advancing in the same tournament that saw tennis’ GOAT, Serena Williams, play what is likely her last tennis match. Williams made it to the third round of the US Open before losing, after she announced her “evolution from tennis” in a Vogue article last month.
Tiafoe will face the winner of Italy’s Jannik Sinner/Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz Friday afternoon.