Rafael Nadal lost against Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round of the US Open, becoming the first Grand Slam champion to be defeated in 2022.
In New York, American Tiafoe defeated four-time winner Nadal by scores of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, and 6-3 to delight the home audience.
The Spaniard was unsuccessful in pursuing a record-extending 23rd significant singles championship.
Nadal had a 3-1 lead in the fourth set when Tiafoe rallied, winning five straight games to go to the quarterfinals.
At Flushing Meadows, he will compete against ninth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev for a spot in the semifinals.
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The 22nd-seeded Tiafoe slammed his racket to the ground and buried his face in shock as a netted Nadal backhand clinched his triumph.
He thanked the audience and then covered his face with a towel to enjoy the boisterous Arthur Ashe Stadium environment.
The 24-year-old declared in the court, “Something extraordinary occurred today.
“I’m so thrilled that I’m at a loss for words. He is among the all-time greats, and my performance was incredible.”
Nadal has never seemed at ease this year in New York, but that shouldn’t detract from Tiafoe’s superb matchplay.
Consequently, Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion, is the only Grand Slam singles champion in the men’s draw.
In the Monday night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where Cilic is now playing Carlos Alcaraz, Italian 11th seed Jannik Sinner is facing off against Belarusian Ilya Ivashka, an unseeded opponent.
