Frances Tiafoe has returned to the stage that has defined his career. 

The stage – the U.S. Open quarterfinals – where Tiafoe (No. 20) was eliminated last year in a thriller to fellow American Ben Shelton, whom he captured revenge against this year in the third round.

A stage where Tiafoe emerged out of nowhere to become one of the sport’s top fan favorites after upsetting the legendary Rafael Nadal in 2022.

A stage which could now set the tone for the next chapter of his career. 

To secure his return to the U.S. Open quarterfinals, the 27-year-old Tiafoe had to go through one of this year’s tournament’s biggest wild cards.

He defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin, who had upset No. 2 Novak Djokovic in the third round and is ranked No. 28 in the world, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3 in the fourth round Sunday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

Tiafoe will next play No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov.

Popyrin was on the verge of winning the second set and pulling even, but he saw a 5-2 lead evaporate to 5-5 and then a 6-5 lead turn into a tiebreak and Tiafoe subsequently won the tiebreak and the set.

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In the ninth game, Tiafoe came back from 0-40 to break Popyrin. 

“I win a point, win another point, I was like ‘ooh,’” Tiafoe said. “He gave me one, and I was like ‘don’t let me get two,’ then I was like ‘don’t let me get three,’ and then I thought ‘I might as well break now.’ I got pretty lucky there, honestly. Without [the fans], it wouldn’t have happened.” 

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After dropping the third set, Tiafoe overpowered Popyrin – breaking him in the sixth game – to win the fourth set and seal the win.