Stat of the Day: Frances Tiafoe becomes first American man to beat Rafael Nadal at a major since 2005

Frances Tiafoe has become the first American since 2005—and just the third American ever—to defeat Rafael Nadal at a Grand Slam, after outdoing the Spaniard in a grueling four-setter in the fourth round of the US Open on Monday afternoon, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

AMERICAN MEN TO DEFEAT NADAL AT A GRAND SLAM:

• Andy Roddick (d. Nadal, 6-0, 6-3, 6-4, in second round of 2004 US Open)
• James Blake (d. Nadal, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, in third round of 2005 US Open)
• Frances Tiafoe (d. Nadal, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, in fourth round of 2022 US Open)

Tiafoe’s win over the No. 3-ranked Nadal was the equal-biggest win of his career by ranking, having defeated then-No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in Vienna last year, and he’s now through to the second Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career, having previously reached the last eight at the 2019 Australian Open (falling to Nadal).

“It was definitely a hell of a performance,” Tiafoe said afterwards. “I played really well today. Yeah, I guess, I mean, I just came out there and I just believed I could do it.

"It helps I played him a couple of times. Haven’t played him in some years. I’m a different person now, different player. I went out there trying to get a dub, and that’s what I did.”