(New York) American Frances Tiafoe (20e world) dominated the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (9e) on retirement at 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 4-1 to qualify for the semi-finals of the United States Open tennis tournament on Tuesday in New York.
Tiafoe (26 years old), already a semi-finalist in 2022, will face his compatriot Taylor Fritz (12e), to send a first American to a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick in 2006.
“Obviously this wasn’t the way I wanted to win even though I’m happy to qualify for the semis. It was a very high level match. You’re going to see me against another American, it’s going to be great! It’s going to be the biggest match of our careers, we’ve known each other since we were 14. I can’t be more impatient,” Tiafoe commented on the court.
Dimitrov (33 years old) retired, visibly injured in the back of the left thigh. The Bulgarian had already been forced to retire in 8e Wimbledon finals in July.
The intensity of Tuesday’s match peaked in the second set tiebreaker, which was initially superb before ending with three double faults!
PHOTO EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Grigor Dimitrov
Dimitrov, who was trailing 4-1 at the start of the set, recovered his break and played a sublime tiebreak, using his silky one-handed backhand on a fast ball and then a winning return of serve. Leading 6-3 with two serves, he then collapsed with two double faults, before Tiafoe himself gave him the set with a double fault.
Grimacing at times during the 3e set, Dimitrov had his serve stolen at 2-2 before dropping the set with another double fault.
Returning to his chair, he then pointed the back of his left thigh at his team, before slipping away for a few minutes, then returning to play 5 games in the 4e limping through the sleeve, unable to fully defend his chances.