Carlos Alcaraz defeats Frances Tiafoe at the US Open semifinals in a battle of tennis’ rising stars. Will it be one of the greatest US Open finals ever?
The 2017 US Open had a memorable feel to it, with three great finals and three great semifinals as players rose to the top of the sport with thrilling performances.
Frances Tiafoe ended Rafael Nadal’s 11-match winning streak at the final. The Canadian did so in a masterful performance that ended with him charging and leaping his way to victory.
Tiafoe’s victory over Nadal had everything that US Open should be: a battle of two greats, the game’s top players going up against each other.
But Nadal’s win was not the only great one, as there was also a memorable final between two players whose rise to the heights of tennis has been equally impressive.
Here are the men’s semifinals and finals in the 2017 US Open:
Tiafoe vs Nadal
Tiafoe’s game was a revelation, and Nadal’s only chance at the ultimate crown came in a fight to the death where his win could be argued the most impressive.
Both players were among the game’s best, but Tiafoe was a different breed, always striving to elevate his game.
He was strong at baseline as well as in the serve and always looked to strike in the final third, while Nadal looked as if he were always hitting it deeper than necessary.
Nadal began his run to the championship by running into early trouble in the second set, where Tiafoe looked for an opening with his forehand. When the pair were done, the game was up 5-3.
The Argentine saved four match points before eventually sealing victory in a gripping 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win.
It was an incredible match of players who were already among the game’s best. It was just the start of more greats to come.
Rafael Nadal reacts to his US
