Rafael Nadal beaten, out of US Open

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 defeat 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, seeded 22nd, 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.

“Something special happened today,” the 24-year-old said on court.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m so happy. He’s one of the greatest of all time and I played unbelievable.”

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 result means that Marin Cilic, who won the 2014 US Open, is the only Grand Slam singles winner left in the men’s draw.

Cilic was on court, playing Carlos Alcaraz in Monday’s night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium with Italian 11th seed Jannik Sinner taking on unseeded Belarusian Ilya Ivashka.