Frances Tiafoe Consoles Crying Alex Michelsen After Epic Comeback Win in US Open Quarterfinals

Alex Michelsen was crying uncontrollably after what happened during his marathon quarterfinal against compatriot Frances Tiafoe on Tuesday (September 8). Tiafoe, playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time in this event, was down two sets to love, but he dug deep in the third set before eking out a 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(6) victory.

Michelsen needed a shoulder to cry on. The experienced Tiafoe understood perfectly well that the 22-year-old was overwhelmed by intense emotions, and so he consoled the sobbing Michelsen with a long embrace.

I really like Alex. I really, really do, and I just wanted to come up there and just dap him up. I didn’t think it was going to be as long as it was, but I understand the moment. He was definitely crying on my shoulders. Yeah, we just had some words for each other, and that was it.

Frances Tiafoe said at the press conference

Moving scenes at Arthur Ashe Stadium as Frances Tiafoe embraces a crying Alex Michelsen 🥹pic.twitter.com/va4wlqIIM8 https://t.co/5V70E7y5AF

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 8, 2026

It was Michelsen’s first Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career. Tiafoe now holds a 3-0 head-to-head lead over Michelsen.

I was trying to keep it together, and I didn’t do a good job of that. He was saying a lot of nice personal things. ‘You’ll be there. When I’m older, you’re going to be here, and we’re going to play it again in this type of circumstance.’ All that good stuff. He’s a great guy for consoling me in that moment.

Alex Michelsen said at the press conference

Before eliminating Michelsen, Tiafoe upset 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. Big Foe will be playing in the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the third time in his career.

The previous two semifinals that he reached were here at Flushing Meadows in 2022 and 2024. His match against Medvedev was his first quarterfinal clash in a Major since the 2025 French Open.

Alex Michelsen on what he was feeling after his defeat to Frances Tiafoe

Alex Michelsen, a three-time ATP singles titlist, hasn’t reached a final since the 2024 Winston-Salem Open. Prior to his home Slam, he had made just one Grand Slam fourth round (at the 2025 Australian Open).

Although Michelsen looked inconsolable after the defeat to Tiafoe, he will leave New York with his head held high. When he was asked at the press conference about his feelings after the upset, Michelsen said:

Yeah, nothing good. It’s a tough match, but I fought as hard as I could, and it just didn’t go my way today. It got a little tight at 5-4 in the third, but at the end of the day, made my first quarterfinal of a Slam. Lost to, like I said in my other press conference, someone that is probably a top-five player here in Francis. So, trying to keep my head high and, yeah, on to the next one.

Tiafoe will face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or compatriot Ben Shelton in the semifinals. In the first half of the draw, Alexander Zverev will face Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarterfinals, while Karen Khachanov will play Alexander Blockx.

Among these players, only Alcaraz and Zverev have won Grand Slam titles. Sascha, a runner-up in the New York Major in 2020, ended his Grand Slam title drought by defeating Flavio Cobolli at the French Open. He missed the Channel Slam as he lost to World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz, who beat Sinner in last year’s US Open final, is a two-time champion in this event. If Shelton or Tiafoe win, then it will be the first time since Andy Roddick‘s win at the 2003 US Open that an American will win a Grand Slam title.

Also read: Tennis Australia CEO Andrew Abdo Hints at Ditching Best-of-Five Sets in Grand Slams: “We Need to Explore”