The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur News and Links for Wednesday, September 9

Good morning everyone –

We’re in the thick of the US Open, where the remaining players in the men’s and women’s singles events are fighting for a chance to enter the semifinals.

One of those players is Frances Tiafoe, who booked his third semifinal appearance at his home slam.

He did it in dramatic fashion, too, coming back from two sets down to defeat fellow American and his buddy Alex Michelson 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 7-6(6).

It also delivered one of the nicest moments from the tournament so far, where Tiafoe stopped his celebration to rush over and comfort Michelson, who was visibly distraught during their embrace at the net. Here’s the moment in full:

Andre Agassi said it best: Tennis is a lonely sport, perhaps the most lonely.

For these two players on Wednesday, they were on court for more than four hours all by themselves with absolutely nowhere to hide. Everyone inside the world’s largest tennis stadium can see your winners, your mistakes, your victory and your defeat.

They saw Alex Michelson serve up 5-4 in the third set, with the match on his racquet, and tighten up. They saw the back-to-back double faults, and noticed how Tiafoe stepped up take full advantage. Tiafoe’s been in this position before too. He was up two sets to one against Taylor Fritz in the 2024 US Open Semifinal and was level at two sets apiece with Carlos Alcaraz in the 2022 semis. He lost both.

And there’s nowhere to hide after a defeat, save a towel Michelson could sling over his head as he walked off the court.

As lonely as tennis can be, the cliche that it’s also a gentlemanly sport rings true here. Players look out for each other. Those who follow the sport can list off moments where players rushed to take care of their competitors who might have suffered injury or were on the wrong side of an obviously bad call.

On Tuesday, it was Tiafoe who briefly put aside the greatest victory in his professional career to comfort a friend and competitor in need.

Fitzie’s track of the day:Puzzlin’ Evidence, by Talking Heads

And now for your links:

Tottenham Hotspur: “Alfie Whiteman on ‘Tottenham ‘Til I Die’ and the ‘incredibly important’ synergy of club and community”

Jack P-B ($$): “Tottenham rebuilt their midfield for £185m but Rodrigo Bentancur is the first pick right now”

Alasdair Gold: “Tottenham player training alone, Mason Melia issue and Vicario makes ‘fantastic’ De Zerbi claim”

BBC: “Favourite Kane makes Ballon d’Or shortlist”

The Telegraph: “Influencers have overrun the US Open and started a war over ‘etiquette'”

USA Today: “Frances Tiafoe completes epic 5-set comeback to make US Open semifinals”