CNN
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American Frances Tiafoe, who reached the semifinals of the US Open two years ago, has once again come far in New York – and had to shout a few words to a certain spectator before leaving the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Tiafoe, who was loudly supported by fans on Sunday evening, then defeated his friend, Australian Alexei Popyrin (number 28) 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 in just over three hours to advance to the quarterfinals for the third time in a row.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing on this court,” Tiafoe said after the win. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always hit the wall and wanted to compete on this court.”

“When I saw the Williams sisters winning titles here and Roger (Federer) winning here a million times, I thought, ‘I just want to play on this court.’

“It’s so iconic, named after Arthur Ashe of course, so I wanted to be a part of it. And it just brings out the best in me. And you guys are incredible fans and that’s what makes it so much fun here, honestly.”

But as Chris Eubanks – an American tennis player who is friends with Tiafoe and currently works for ESPN since his first-round loss on August 26 – was about to end the on-court interview, Tiafoe grabbed the microphone and said, “Wait.”

“Tony Goldwyn was in the audience,” Tiafoe said, referring to the actor. “Yo, I’m a huge fan of yours, bro. My girlfriend and I used to watch ‘Scandal.’ I’m a huge fan, bro, I’m a huge fan, bro. I have to say that.”

Now that Tiafoe has checked that box, he is looking forward to the quarterfinals.

Tiafoe will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (number 9). Dimitrov, the oldest player left in the squad at 33, defeated Andrey Rublev (number 6) in the round of 16, beating the Russian 6-3, 7-6(3), 1-6, 3-6 and 6-3 in three hours and 39 minutes.

Dimitrov, who reached the semifinals of the 2019 US Open, has a career record of 3-1 against the 26-year-old Tiafoe.

It was the first time Tiafoe and Popyrin – who beat Novak Djokovic in the third round – played against each other.

Popyrin paid his respects to Tiafoe, seeded 20th, applauding his friend’s forehand winner on match point before they hugged at the net.

“Of course, beating Novak is a huge victory, no matter when and where,” Tiafoe told reporters at Popryin. “I feel like Alexei had the level. He showed that tonight. It was a really, really high level. So I had to come up with some great things.”

Popyrin told reporters he thought Tiafoe was “the better player, no matter how close it was” and that the American “was a step ahead on the more important points.”

“He’s playing scary tennis,” said 25-year-old Popyrin. “If he keeps going like this, he’s got a really good chance.”

No American has won a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003.

At the 2022 US Open, Tiafoe gave fans hope that he could end the US men’s singles Grand Slam title drought by shocking Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 and defeating Rublev in the quarterfinals. His run ended in the semifinals, where he lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Tiafoe is one of two Americans to have reached the quarterfinals of this year’s US Open, joining No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz, who came back from a set down to beat No. 8 seed Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday.

“I think in the past I’ve always been very, very excited and very happy when I’ve reached the quarterfinals of Grand Slam tournaments,” said Fritz, 26, who reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the fifth time in his career, including now in two consecutive years at the US Open.

“I think I’m at the point now where I’m still happy if I get to the quarterfinals, but I wouldn’t be happy if it ended here. I’m definitely at the point where I really want more.”

Fritz will next face Germany’s No. 4 Alex Zverev, who finished second at this year’s French Open and second at the 2020 US Open. On Sunday, Zverev defeated unseeded American Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

At Wimbledon, Fritz came back from two sets behind in the fourth round against Zverev and won in five sets. Overall, Zverev is 5:4 ahead of the American.

“We are in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam round. I think there will be no easy games from now on,” said Zverev.

On the other side of the draw, there is one American left: No. 14 Tommy Paul will face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the fourth round on Monday.