Rafael Nadal has been beaten in a Grand Slam for the first time in 2022, losing to Frances Tiafoe in the US Open fourth round.
American Tiafoe thrilled the home crowd with a 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3 win over four-time champion Nadal in New York.
The defeats ended the Spaniard’s bid for a record-extending 23rd major singles title.
Nadal led the fourth set 3-1 before Tiafoe hit back, winning five games in a row to secure his quarter-final spot.
He will face Russian ninth seed Andrey Rublev for a place in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Tiafoe threw his racquet to the floor and covered his face in disbelief as his victory was confirmed by a netted Nadal backhand.
After thanking the crowd, he covered his face with his towel, taking in the atmosphere on a raucous Arthur Ashe stadium.
Nadal has never looked settled in New York this year, but that is not to take anything away from Tiafoe, who played a clever match.
The defeat means that Marin Cilic, who won the US Open title in 2014, is the only Grand Slam singles winner left in the men’s draw. (BBC Sport)
