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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jonathan Spencer

Rafael Nadal knocked out of US Open after four-set loss to American Frances Tiafoe

Rafael Nadal was left stunned after being knocked out of the US Open by American star Frances Tiafoe in the round of 16.

The world No 26 overcame the 22-time Grand Slam winner 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3 to progress to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows, setting up an exciting encounter against Andrey Rublev.

Russian star Rublev took a step closer to US Open glory after seeing off Britain's final hope in New York in Cameron Norrie, winning in straight sets 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Nadal's defeat ends what has been a brilliant Grand Slam year for him, having won the Australian and French Opens before agonisingly having to pull out with injury before his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios.

No American tennis player has won a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick back in 2003 at Flushing Meadows, by far the country's longest drought in the history of the sport.

The tournament has now been blown wide open following Nadal's defeat, and Daniil Medvedev's loss to Nick Kyrgios in the last-16 stage.

Tiafoe couldn't get near Nadal in their past two meetings, with the American failing to take a set off him in the 2019 Australian Open quarter-finals and 2019 Madrid third round.

However, Tiafoe turned his luck around by claiming the first set at Flushing Meadows in 54 minutes. During the opener, there were injury concerns over the Spaniard who later disappeared for a medical timeout after going behind.

Frances Tiafoe is through to the quarter-finals, where he will face Andrey Rublev (Getty Images)

Nadal hit back in the second set by breaking in the final game, with Tiafoe serving up a double fault to gift his opponent a way back into the enthralling encounter.

However, he didn't let any nerves get to him, clinching the third set 6-4 after responding with some heavy hitting. The American produced a backhand winner to break Nadal with the set at 3-3 before saying strong on his serve.

The fourth set was a bit of a rollercoaster, with Nadal striking first to move 3-1 ahead but Tiafoe kept his composure and remarkably won five games on the bounce to claim a famous win.

Following his brilliant victory, Tiafoe said: "At 4-3 [in the fourth set], when I went up 40/0, my legs were like cement. I just needed to get out of the game and then pray to god that I don’t have to serve for it.

"I was luckily enough to get out of that game. I came out not giving Rafa all the respect. I came out to win a tennis match if front of you guys."

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