Global tennis superstar Rafael Nadal entered Monday’s US Open tennis match against American star Frances Tiafoe with a perfect 22-0 record at Grand Slams this year and with a trip to the tournament’s quarterfinals, he could have overtaken Daniil Medvedev’s spot atop the ATP rankings. But that’s not how it went.
Instead, Tiafoe downed Nadal in four sets at the US Open, notching the biggest win of his life and ending Nadal’s impressive unbeaten streak. Understandably, Tiafoe got quite emotional at the massive victory.
Have a moment Frances Tiafoe!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/egoIVDoRWh
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2022
“I don’t know what to say right now,” Tiafoe said after the match, according to Fox Sports. “I’m beyond happy, I’m almost in tears, I can’t believe it. He’s got to be one of the greatest of all time. I played unbelievable tennis today but … I don’t know what happened.”
The win shocked Tiafoe, it shocked Nadal, and it shocked the rest of the tennis world, which reacted to the massive US Open shakeup on Twitter.
So, uh, is Nick Kyrgios going to win the US Open?
— Jay (@GreatBigIdiot) September 5, 2022
"1st player from US to reach the #USOpen Men's Singles QFs in 10 years."
That's insane. Huge win for Tiafoe. https://t.co/9JoQf50IlO
— Ben Ross (@BenRossTweets) September 5, 2022
Big Foe‼️ 🔥
There will very likely be a new grand slam champion in men's tennis https://t.co/nVzVBUhyM5
— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) September 5, 2022
–#PerspectiveIsEverything
– https://t.co/LuoB5eC6Lc— Delaney Williams (@delaneywilliams) September 5, 2022
BIG FOE.
— Jake Marsh (@PMTsportsbiz) September 5, 2022
What a moment at the US Open: Frances Tiafoe upsets Rafael Nadal and bursts into tears
VIDEO: @USOPEN
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 5, 2022
After defeating Nadal, Tiafoe will now face Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals of a now wide-open US Open field.
It’s looking more and more like there will be a first-time Grand Slam champion in the men’s tennis world this US Open. Now, it’s just a matter of who it’s going to be.
