Exit to the quarterfinals of Francis Tiafoe and Andrey Rublev was largely unexpected, because both of them knocked out the opponents seeded above from the fight at the previous stage.
First of all, this concerns the American, who created a sensation on the home court by beating Rafael Nadal himself in four games.
And the Russian, after a heavy five-set with Denis Shapovalov, broke the resistance of the ninth racket of the planet Cameron Norrie without any problems.
It was difficult to overestimate the importance of the face-to-face confrontation for both tennis players, since the first entry in the semi-finals of the Grand Slam Tournament was at stake.
Rublev still had much more experience in such matches, because only in the top eight of the strongest US Open he made it for the third time.
The opponent had previously gone so far only once - in 2019 at the Australian Open.
However, after defeating one of the greatest players in the world, Tiafoe was certainly not afraid of either Rublev's experience, or his superiority in the ATP rating, or the fact that the Russian was stronger in their last match - at the Masters in Indian Wells.
It was much more difficult for Andrei psychologically, since the top four of the strongest TBSH turned into an unrealizable ideal for him, but this time he had to confront an inferior opponent in the class, and not Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer.
Andrey had a great chance that should not be missed.
The success of Karen Khachanov, who early on Wednesday morning for the first time in his career, secured participation in the semi-finals of the TBSh, knocking out Nick Kiryos, the offender of Daniil Medvedev, from the fight, should have given him confidence.
Rublev, in case of victory, took a step towards his compatriot in anticipation of the Russian final.
However, it immediately became clear that Tiafoe really could not count on excitement and self-doubt.
The American, with the support of home stands, played aggressively and uninhibitedly.
There was no hint of alarm in his actions.
On the first serve, he did not leave any chances to his opponent at all, winning 87% of the points.
He also made 17 aces against 14 for Rublev.
And only if Francis had to serve a second time, Andrey had a chance to catch on at the reception.
For example, in the sixth game it came to balance, but the Russian failed to realize the first break point and put the squeeze on the opponent.
Rublev served less confidently than Tiafoe, and sometimes allowed him to get ahead in the long run, but still took his.
In general, the American went out into the court much more boldly and often outplayed the 11th racket of the planet at the net, causing delight from the stands.
Alas, Rublev missed his chance at the end of the game.
In the 12th game, with the score 6:5, Tiafoe suddenly became nervous and allowed the opponent to earn a set point.
But at a difficult moment, he managed to pull himself together and turned the confrontation into a tie-break, where he did not leave a chance for the demoralized opponent.
Unfortunately, the scenario of the second installment completely repeated the previous one.
Tennis players continued to bet on their own serve and this time did not earn a single break point at all.
In the first five games, they scored only one point at the reception for two.
But in general, Tiafoe, inspired by the success, looked more confident and bold.
If the draws dragged on, he usually took over in them, actively moving around the court.
It is not surprising that shortened ones also regularly passed.
Rublev, on the other hand, clearly lacked emotion and confidence.
If he had to move from the back line, he experienced discomfort.
And most importantly, Andrei in most episodes looked just slower than his opponent.
Nevertheless, not the best game at the reception did not allow the American to make a break.
And with a score of 4:4, the Russian even brought the matter to a balance, but the opponent was helped by the supply and support of the fans.
Alas, at the tie-break the favorite fell down again.
And this time he lost even more limply and failed to score a single point.
Tiafoe immediately made two breaks and, having caught the courage, defeated the Muscovite - 7:0.
Rublev failed to get together after this and make a comeback.
In addition, in the final set, he began to experience difficulties on his serve.
In the first game at the reception, Francis earned a double break point, but allowed the opponent to escape.
However, the Russian still looked doomed and lost.
He plucked even signature blows and was unable to restrain his emotions.
However, the American on the pitch also began to give chances to the opponent and in the third hour of the confrontation did not look so fresh and fast.
But he had more strength left for the ending, both physical and moral.
The denouement came in the seventh game, when Tiafoe again earned a break and this time managed to convert it.
Right there, Rublev had an excellent opportunity to do the opposite.
Francis got nervous and sent the ball out a couple of times.
Alas, Rublev failed to take advantage of the chance.
For example, when the score was 40:30 in his favor, being one step away from the coveted break, he shot out of the blue into the net, breaking a simple blow.
This allowed the owner of the court to quickly return to the game and not allow the opponent to revive the intrigue.
After that, it was not difficult for the American to bring the case to victory on his serve.
Moreover, he took it to zero, putting a beautiful point - 7:6, 7:6, 6:4.
So the athlete in front of his own fans for the first time in his career made it to the semi-finals of the major.
Moreover, immediately after the meeting, Tiafu admitted that it was their support that became the decisive factor.
But Rublev continues to be haunted by a kind of “curse”.
Six times he found himself in the quarter-final stage at the Grand Slam tournaments, but never went further.
Now the Russian final will definitely not take place at the US Open, and it remains only to worry about Khachanov.