US Open: Carlos Alcaraz vs Frances Tiafoe H2H Preview | Head to Head | Prediction

The stage is set for the US Open semifinals as Carlos Alcaraz locks horns with Frances Tiafoe. 

After a marathon of 5 hours and 15 minutes, Carlos Alcaraz saw off the challenge of Jannik Sinner as now faces home favourite Tiafoe in the semifinal of the US Open 2022. 

The winner of the contest will compete for the US Open title on Sunday, with Tiafoe in contention to become the first US men’s star since Andy Roddick to win the US Open. Tiafoe beat the challenge from Andrey Rublev to enter the semis by trashing him 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.

• A place in the US Open final will be up for grabs as both Alcaraz and Tiafoe meet in the semifinals
• Neither player has ever won a Grand Slam before and will look to push for their first major title
• The meeting at the Arthur Ashe Stadium will be the second time both Alcaraz and Tiafoe go head-to-head

Alcaraz vs Tiafoe: Head-to-Head

The pair of Alcaraz and Tiafoe have met only once at the Barcelona Open in 2021, where the local boy was beaten by the US star in straight sets. 

The pair has since never crossed paths and will likely serve a feast as they bid for a place in the final. While Alcaraz will be the favourite considering his form and the spectacular 2022 he has enjoyed so far.

Tiafoe will fancy his chances having already gotten the better of another Spaniard in Rafael Nadal earlier in the US Open.

Alcaraz vs Tiafoe: Player Analysis

Alcaraz, 19, will have to overcome a tight schedule after playing back-to-back five straight matches. The Spaniard has played 16 hours of relentless tennis at the US Open, almost an hour and a half more than his US opponent. 

Alcaraz will have to overcome the disappointment of tiebreaks, having lost on both occasions when he has been stretched to his limit.

Tiafoe on the flip side has won all the six tiebreaks in which he has been involved, most by any player in the tournament. He has also amassed 76 aces in the tournament, which is more than three times his opponent. 

He has also mustered 18 double faults which are three less than his current opponent, as he holds the upper-hand in terms of the numbers. 

However, Alcaraz might make the baseline play more aerial, as Tiafoe will need to be strong on the baseline having struggled at times.

Alcaraz vs Tiafoe: US Open 2022 Stats

Journey so far in the US Open 2022

Carlos Alcaraz 

Carlos Alcaraz has so far endured a mixed stint at the US Open, while the first week was an easy passage; the second week was a struggle that he overcame eventually. 

The World No. 4 saw off the challenge from Sebastian Baez before he decided to retire in the first round. He then got the better of another Argentine, Federico Coria in straight sets and then beat Jenson Brooksby to book a date with former champion Marin Cilic.

The Croatian gave a tough run for his money in the fourth round as Alcaraz battled his way out with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win. The match saw him make unforced errors which he will try to avoid. 

However, the biggest test in the US Open was the quarterfinal match against Italian Jannik Sinner which lasted more than four hours. In a marathon clash, Alcaraz came from two sets down to win the match 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.

Frances Tiafoe 

The US star has been enjoying the hard courts of the US Open and has swiftly grabbed the attention of the US crowd despite Serena Williams being a focal point. 

The win against 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal was the biggest of all as he beat him in four sets to end the dominance of the big three. 

In the earlier round, he saw off the challenge from fellow US star Marcos Giron while also outclassing Jason Murray Kubler.

Tiafoe’s impressive serve has seen him drop only one set so far in the match and too against Nadal. 

The American beat the Spaniard 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. He was twice taken into the tiebreak by the Russian, Andrey Rublev, but on both occasions, he prevailed to win and advance to the final.

Prediction: Frances Tiafoe to win in four sets against Carlos Alcaraz