Michelle Obama and other stars watch Tiafoe's heartbreaking US Open loss - in pictures

Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz sets up title clash with Casper Ruud

US Tennis Association chief Michael J. McNulty, left, former First Lady Michelle Obama, centre, and philanthropist Jill McCormick watch the US Open semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe in New York on Friday, September 9, 2022. AFP

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama at the US Open semi-final between Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe of the US at Flushing Meadows. Reuters

Musician Jon Bon Jovi at the US Open semi-final on Friday. AFP

Jon Bon Jovi, right, greets music producer Clive Davis at the US Open in New York on Friday. AP

Former tennis star Martina Navratilova and her dog Lulu watch the US Open semi-final. Reuters

Actor Alec Baldwin watches the semi-final Frances Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz. USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards forward Bradley Beal with wife Kamiah Adams-Beal at Flushing Meadows. USA TODAY Sports

Music producer Clive Davis with Jill Vedder during the semi-final between Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe of the US. Reuters

Actor Heather Dubrow, right, and husband Terry Dubrow in New York. AP

Former NFL star Larry Fitzgerald Jr, left, in New York on Friday. AFP

NBA star Bradley Beal watches the semi-final on Friday. EPA

NBA player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope watches the semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe. AFP

Frances Tiafoe struggled to hold back tears as his dream run at the US Open came to an end on Friday following an epic semi-final defeat to Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz, 19, triumphed 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 to become the youngest men's Grand Slam finalist since compatriot Rafael Nadal and set up a final clash with Casper Ruud for the title and world No 1 ranking.

Tiafoe's compelling back story and sensational run in New York, including his fourth-round upset of 23-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, made him the talk of the town.

However, his challenge fell short against the rising star of men's tennis.

"I gave everything I had these past two weeks," American Tiafoe said at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I came here wanting to win a US Open and I feel like I let you guys down. This one really, really hurts. Too good from Carlos. I am going to come back and I will win this thing one day."

Despite the disappointment, Tiafoe said he will walk away from Flushing Meadows with a new sense of confidence.

"I proved that I can play with the best and I'm capable of winning Grand Slams," he told reporters.

Tiafoe fell short of becoming the first Black man from the US in a major final since MaliVai Washington was runner-up at Wimbledon in 1996.

Tiafoe's parents fled civil war in Sierra Leone in 1990s and eventually settled in Maryland, where his father worked as an on-site caretaker at the Junior Tennis Champions Centre. Frances and his twin brother regularly stayed the night, getting to hit balls on the courts.

The semi-final was witnessed by a number of celebrities, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, musician Jon Bon Jovi, and others.