Frances Tiafoe helps break 27 year American record after defeating Holger Rune in the Cincinnati semi-finals

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Frances Tiafoe is into his maiden Masters final after coming back to beat Holger Rune in Cincinnati.

As New York gears up to host another glittering US Open, Frances Tiafoe will be desperate to match his form from the last two years.

Reaching the quarter-finals last year after a semi-final appearance in 2022 leaves Tiafoe with one obvious progression to make.

At 5-2 down in the deciding set, it looked as if Holger Rune’s new coaching set-up was enjoying some early pay off. 

However with his dynamism, power, and a little help from a few the net-tape, Tiafoe trickled over into his first Masters level final.

Currently the fifth best US men’s player in the ATP rankings, Tiafoe is playing like their number one, with many above him suffering early exits in Montreal and Cincinnati.

Frances Tiafoe makes American history after Cincinnati ranking boost

With a bucketful of ranking points ready to be awarded to Tiafoe, he will move to at least 20th in the world, regardless of the result in the final.

Chasing his career high of 10th, Tiafoe will also need to defend his points attained at the US Open in a week’s time.

However American history has been made with Tiafoe’s movement into the top 20 breaking a 27-year wait for US tennis.

With five men now in the top 20, it becomes the first time since 1997 where five players have featured.

Interestingly this time however, none are inside the top 10, with Taylor Fritz the highest out of the five in 12th.

Will an American man win the US Open?

The women’s side has seen major success in New York several times since Serena Williams’ stint at the top came to an end.

Both Sloane Stephens and Coco Gauff have won the US Open, while Sofia Kenin has picked up the Australian Open.

Emma Navarro recently praised US women’s tennis, and with the arrival of an up and coming American WTA star, they also have five women inside the top 20.

Andy Roddick was the last man to win a grand slam at the 2003 US Open.

While Tiafoe sits behind his four compatriots, he remains the in-form player along with Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton who might genuinely challenge for the title.