US Open 2026 — Tiafoe reaches third round; Buse follows grandfather’s footsteps with maiden win

Frances Tiafoe, a twice US Open semifinalist, next faces either Kamil Majchrzak or Valentin Vacherot, while Ignacio Buse will take on Benjamin Bonzi in the second round.

Updated : Sep 03, 2026 09:15 IST , New York - 3 MINS READ

Frances Tiafoe (left) won the second round match ​6-3, 7-6(2), 7-5, while Ignacio Buse claimed his first-round win with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-1. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP/Getty Images

Frances Tiafoe claimed a ​6-3, 7-6(2), 7-5 victory over Japanese qualifier ‌Rei Sakamoto on Wednesday to ​reach the third round of ⁠the US Open, while Ignacio Buse came ‌through a five-setter to earn a maiden ​victory in the tournament.

The world No. 12 is among the leading American hopes of ‌ending a 23-year wait for a home men’s champion in ‌New York and did his ‌part ⁠to keep that dream alive, ⁠feeding off a partisan crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

The 28-year-old broke Sakamoto in the ​opening game of ‌the match and held firm to take the set.

He appeared on course to close out the second ‌but consecutive double faults opened ​the door for Sakamoto, who found another gear and took ⁠the set to a tiebreak.

Tiafoe, a twice US Open semifinalist, regrouped and ‌won four of the first five points in the tiebreak to move two sets ahead.

Sakamoto, who reached the main draw by beating his idol, former US Open finalist ‌Kei Nishikori, showcased his powerful serve, striking ​18 aces, but racked up 40 unforced errors.

Tiafoe was relieved ⁠to close out the win in straight ⁠sets after being taken to five in the first round. ‌He next faces either Kamil Majchrzak or Valentin Vacherot.

Buse follows grandfather’s footsteps

Meanwhile, Buse from Peru added a new chapter to his ​family’s US Open story on Wednesday as he followed in the footsteps ⁠of his grandfather, who last won a match at the tournament in 1958.

The 32nd seed beat American Marcos ‌Giron 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-1 after three hours and 48 minutes on ‌Court Six, finishing off the match with ‌a ⁠backhand volley to spark loud cheers ⁠from his team and fans in the stands.

“It’s difficult to find the calm in those situations, but in the ​fifth set, I just ‌tried to recover mentally,” Ignacio said. “It’s a mental battle out there. I just stayed calm. It’s a very special moment.”

Though the 22-year-old Ignacio ‌never met his grandfather Eduardo, his victory ​revived a family link to the Grand Slam stretching back nearly seven decades.

Eduardo, ⁠whose tennis exploits alongside his twin brother Enrique are commemorated at Lima’s Estadio Hermanos Buse, played ‌at the major as early as 1942.

He won his last US Open match 16 years later when he beat American Edward Atkinson in five sets in the opening round.

The tournament, then known as the US Championships, was held ‌on the outdoor grass courts of the West Side ​Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York. The US Open became a hard court ⁠tournament in 1978.

Ignacio, who arrived in New York ⁠full of belief after winning the Winston-Salem Open last week, can add to his ‌tally when he takes on Benjamin Bonzi in the second round.