"It's crazy, to win another big victory (after Nadal), against such a difficult player," commented Tiafoe before leaving the Arthur-Ashe court.
At 24, his best result in a Major was a quarter-final played at the Australian Open in 2019. He will try to reach the final at Flushing Meadows on Friday by facing the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (4th) or the Italian Jannik Sinner (13th).
"I feel like home, this court is amazing, everyone pushes me, I have to give my best. I enjoy these moments, but there are two matches left. It will be hard, let's leave Alcaraz and Sinner to fight, but I'm ready, against whoever it is."
Against Rublev, who was playing his sixth Major quarter-final (the third in New York), neither player gave up his face-off until 3-3 in the third set when Tiafoe scored the break and then saved two break points to break away 5-3.
The American served for the match at 5-4 and concluded with an ace.
© 2022 AFP