One of the greatest Grand Slam winning streaks in men’s tennis came to an end in upset fashion on Monday night.
Seeking his fifth US Open singles title, two-seeded Rafael Nadal was upset by 22-seeded Frances Tiafoe in four sets (6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3) to advance to the quarterfinals. Nadal had previously reached at least the quarterfinal round in each of the last 16 majors he participated in, and he had won the prior 22 Grand Slam matches.
Tiafoe, meanwhile, advances to a Grand Slam quarterfinal for just the second time in his career after doing so at the 2019 Australian Open. Nadal may have been the favorite, but Tiafoe had quite a bit of support in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal was spotted cheering on Tiafoe, who is originally from Hyattsville, Maryland. After his win, Tiafoe called Beal one of his favorite players in the NBA, and he gave shoutouts to former Wizard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and current Washington director of player development Alex McLean, who were apparently also on-hand.
Frances Tiafoe on Bradley Beal in his box at the US Open
“One of my favorite basketball players in the NBA, Bradley Beal was able to watch this, that means a lot to me [and] his wife. [Plus] my boy KCP and Alex McLean.”pic.twitter.com/ZyPMo5LygF
— Hoop District (@Hoop_District) September 5, 2022
With his victory, the 24-year-old becomes the youngest American man to advance to the quarterfinals in a US Open since Andy Roddick in 2006. And he got to do it with a three-time NBA All-Star in his corner.
