Tiafoe gives Michelsen an emotional embrace after his US Open victory

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Frances Tiafoe knew Alex Michelsen needed a shoulder to cry on.

So after handing his fellow American a crushing defeat in the U.S. Open quarterfinals Tuesday, Tiafoe held Michelsen in a long embrace while the 22-year-old sobbed into his shoulder.

Michelsen was playing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal and was just a few points from winning it after taking the first two sets. The No. 11-seeded Tiafoe came back to win 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10-6), starting his turnaround after Michelsen failed to serve out the match with a 5-4 lead in the third set.

“But he’s a hell of a player, man,” Tiafoe said. “I mean, he easily could have won today so shout out to Alex Michelsen.”

This was the third pro match between the two, with Tiafoe winning both previous encounters. Michelsen said after his fourth-round victory that he had improved and would try to change things.

“He’s also an unbelievable guy and a very good friend of mine,” Michelsen added.

Frank Franklin II/AP

The US Open wants to be for everyone. Not everyone knows the etiquette

Tiafoe is 28, one of the leaders of American men’s tennis and a fan favorite at the U.S. Open, where he has reached his third semifinal.

He said Sunday in looking ahead to the match that he had developed a friendship with Michelsen.

“We have a good relationship,” he said. “We’re always laughing and joking.”

Michelsen left the court with a towel on his head, raising his arm to acknowledge the cheers from the crowd.

Jeff Dean/USTA/Getty Images

弗朗西丝·蒂亚福知道亚历克斯·米歇尔森需要一个可以依靠的肩膀。

周二，蒂亚福在美网四分之一决赛中给了他的美国同胞米歇尔森一个沉重的打击，之后他紧紧地拥抱了米歇尔森，而这位22岁的球员则在他的肩膀上啜泣。

米歇尔森首次闯入大满贯四分之一决赛，在拿下前两盘后，距离胜利仅差几分。11号种子蒂亚福最终以5-7、3-6、7-5、6-3、7-6（10-6）逆转取胜。蒂亚福的逆转始于米歇尔森在第三盘5-4领先的情况下未能拿下比赛。

“但他真是个了不起的球员，”蒂亚福说道。“我的意思是，他今天本来很容易就能赢球，所以要向亚历克斯·米歇尔森致敬。”

这是两人之间的第三次职业比赛，蒂亚福此前两次都取得了胜利。米歇尔森在第四轮获胜后表示，他已经有所进步，并将努力改变比赛策略。

“他也是个非常棒的人，是我的好朋友，”米歇尔森补充道。

弗兰克·富兰克林二世/美联社

美国网球公开赛希望面向所有人开放。但并非每个人都了解相关礼仪。

蒂亚福今年 28 岁，是美国男子网球的领军人物之一，也是美国网球公开赛的球迷最爱，他已经第三次打入半决赛。

他在周日展望比赛时表示，他已经和米歇尔森建立了友谊。

他说：“我们关系很好，我们总是说说笑笑。”

米歇尔森头上裹着毛巾离开了球场，举起手臂向观众的欢呼声致意。