Alexei Popyrin’s US Open run comes to an end with deflating loss to Frances Tiafoe

• Australian falls to friend and hitting partner 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3
• American Tiafoe to face Grigor Dimitrov in quarter-finals

Alexei Popyrin crashed back to earth and out of the US Open with a deflating fourth-round loss to American showman Frances Tiafoe. Australia's shooting star was unable to back up his third-round win over the great Novak Djokovic, succumbing 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3 to his friend and foe Tiafoe on Sunday night in New York.

Leaving Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson to fly the flag in the men's singles, Popyrin will rue a huge opportunity lost. The 25-year-old entered the most significant match of his life having claimed six top-20 scalps in his previous eight outings, with none bigger than that of 24-times major winner and defending champion Djokovic.