Frances Tiafoe defeated second-seeded Rafa Nadal in the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Monday by scores of 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3.
It was the first major loss of the year for Nadal, who had been vying for a record-breaking 24th Grand Slam victory.
Tiafoe covered his face with his hands as he lapped up the shouts of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd after breaking Nadal for the fifth time and claiming what was undoubtedly the tournament’s biggest upset.
“I don’t even know what to say right now, I’m beyond happy, I’m almost in tears,” Tiafoe, said in an on-court interview.
“I can’t believe it. He is definitely one of the greatest of all time. I played unbelievable tennis today but I really don’t know what happened.”
Tiafoe’s victory ended Rafael Nadal’s streak of 17 consecutive majors in which he reached the quarterfinals or better. This year, the Spaniard won the Australian and French Opens before quitting from the Wimbledon semifinals due to an abdominal issue.
After the match, Nadal made no excuses for his performance in New York’s oppressive humidity.
