The two-time BMW Open champion had everything thrown at him to kick off his title defense but overcame the strange conditions to defeat Daniel Elahi Galán in straight sets.

Tiafoe reached the quarterfinals for the third year in a row with a 6-2, 6-7(4), 7-5 win, while Jordan Thompson won the longest match in event history.

The world No. 55 shared a fun moment with the front row on Court 4 Wednesday after squeaking by Daniel Elahi Galán, 7-6 (15), 6-7 (4), 6-4.

Our running, on-the-grounds recap from Flushing Meadows.

Playing in his first hard court tournament since March, the Colombian won the first 11 games in a row and needed nine match points to oust the world No. 5 in four sets.