Frances Tiafoe win sets the stage for an All-American semifinal showdown

Three years ago Frances Tiafoe had his best Grand Slam result at the US Open reaching the tournament's semifinal. He's back again. Last night, Boca Raton-based Tiafoe was beating Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 4-1 when Dimitrov retired due to an upper-leg injury.

Tiafoe's win sets the stage for an all-American showdown with Taylor Fritz (who has a residence in Miami). It will mark the first all-American semifinal at a Grand Slam since 2005. For either player, it opens up the possibility of their first-ever Grand Slam final. 

Photo: Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis.

And it's a great moment for American tennis — the winner of Tiafoe vs. Fritz will also mark the moment fans experience the first American major finalist since 2009 when Andy Roddick faced off with Roger Federer at Wimbledon.

"You guys get to see me again, against another American, so Friday is going to be one hell of a day," Tiafoe said to huge cheers in Ashe. “It's going to be a big one for both of us, playing for a final,” Tiafoe added in the post-match presser.

Tiafoe explained, "I think we have kind of always pushed each other. Now I think it's great that we get to compete against each other in such a big match, and I'm happy for him. I know he's happy for me... Let the best man win come Friday. It's going to be epic. Popcorn, do what you got to do. It's going to be a fun one.”

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Written by Florida Tennis Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman. Top photo credit: US Open Tennis Championships.