Alex Corretja gives verdict on Frances Tiafoe's US Open title chances

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Spanish tennis legend Alex Corretja thinks Frances Tiafoe has definitely given us enough reasons to believe that he can win the US Open. After upsetting record 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the US Open last-16, Tiafoe saw off Andrey Rublev 7-6 (3) 7-6 (0) 6-4.

In his first Grand Slam semifinal, Tiafoe will be clashing Corretja's fellow compatriot, Carlos Alcaraz. Tiafoe has already beaten one top-5 player this fortnight and now he will be looking to do the same when he meets fourth-ranked Alcaraz.

“In his mind he is not happy that he just reaches the semis,” Corretja said on Eurosport. “He feels that he can go all the way and I believe he can do it because honestly, he's playing extremely good tennis and very intelligent and very clever every time.

We will see. For me, the most important thing is that he's enjoying so much his time on the court. It seems like he's having fun, and it's not that easy to have fun in such a stage of Slam where you try to reach the semi-finals.

It's beautiful to see someone that executes the game that well”.

Corretja, Barbara Schett praise Tiafoe

Against Nadal, Tiafoe showed lots of courage and competitive spirit. Even though Nadal was the big favorite, Tiafoe came out determined to send Nadal packing out of New York.

Schett has applauded Tiafoe for the way he has been fighting and competing this fortnight. “He put in the hard yards, he was working a lot harder,” Schett said. “I think that confidence shows in his game because he’s trying to take the balls so early, especially those returns”.

Tiafoe and Alcaraz will be going head-to-head for the second time on the main level when they clash at the US Open. Last year, Tiafoe defeated Alcaraz on the clay courts of Barcelona. Tiafoe and Alcaraz also clashed this summer at the Hurlingham exhibition, where the American claimed a straight-set win.