Big Foe turns 21 and is still going at the Australian Open

Frances Tiafoe, repping the United States and Maryland, kept up his winning ways by ousting Grigor Dimitrov, the 20th seed, to earn his first ever quarterfinal berth at a grand slam. Tiafoe battled fatigue and cramping to pull the biggest win of his young career out. He outlasted Dimitrov 7-5, 7-6 (6), 6-7 (1), 7-5.

His emotions were very apparent after the match as Tiafoe stayed quiet initially in his post-match interview. Tiafoe signed the camera lens after the match, "Be the example." He was able to hold the raw emotions in check. After all, it was after all his 21st birthday coinciding with the biggest accomplishment of his life. And for "Big Foe" this is just signs of things to come. He has been on the big stage before, but this is when he has shined brightest. I would describe this run as a coming of age for Tiafoe.

He took Roger Federer, to five set in the 2017 U.S. Open in the first round as he was acclimating himself to becoming a professional tennis player and learning against the best in the world. Tiafoe has competed in two Laver Cups with a very competitive showing. All of these moments, including his first ATP title last year in Del Ray, have led to this.

Tiafoe joked that he would, under any other circumstance, be having a very good time tonight because of turning 21 followed by laughter from the crowd. Instead, he said, he would be going right to bed to rest. He looked like he was on his way to a straight-set victory even though the match was pretty competitive throughout.

He was up 4-2 in the third set and appeared to be serving for a 5-2 lead when he called in for the medical staff to take a look at his right leg which was cramping. He then got broke and lost eventually in a tiebreaker 7-1. He bounced back to close out the match in the fourth set. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the match was the seven break points that Tiafoe fought off in the first set and also the three set points that Dimitrov has in the second set tiebreak that he failed to convert on. Tiafoe has been clutch at key moments throughout this tournament. His next opponent is viewed by many as possibly the most clutch player in the sport.

Tiafoe faces a rolling Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals and as everyone knows, Nadal in a best of five sets grand slam match is as tall of a task for any player on tour. Regardless of that, Tiafoe has shown the resiliency and ability to prove doubters wrong and that he is ready for the moment. As of now, his name will be known for the casual observer for a long time to come.