Frances Tiafoe spearheading American challenge at US Open, with three others in last 16
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Frances Tiafoe of the United States during his US Open third-round match against France's Adrian Mannarino on Sept 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEW YORK – Frances Tiafoe is eyeing another deep run at the US Open, after surging into the last 16 on Friday with victory over French veteran Adrian Mannarino.
The American 10th seed, beaten in five sets in the 2022 semi-finals by eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, has another golden chance to advance to the last four after his 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) victory.
“He’s so annoying to play,” Tiafoe said, to laughs during an on-court interview following his match with Mannarino.
“He’s just bunting the ball around, it’s so slow. You look at him and you’re like, ‘man, what’s he doing?’
“But it’s so effective, the ball stays so low. He makes you create, he makes you feel like you want to overplay. He defends really well... I’m happy the match is over and I won.”
The 25-year-old faces Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata in the fourth round on Sunday, with the possibility of an all-American quarter-final against Ben Shelton or Tommy Paul awaiting him.
The charismatic Tiafoe is among a contingent of American men who have fared well at this US Open, which no local man has won since Andy Roddick in 2003 when he beat Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Tiafoe, Shelton, Paul and Taylor Fritz all advanced to the fourth round on Friday, and Tiafoe said that the quartet have driven each other on over the years.
“This is a group that had a lot of ability, always had a lot of talent,” he added.
“Guys were doing really well in their age groups growing up. We competed against each other in big matches, juniors, futures, challengers. Now we’re at the top of the game.
“The guys you grew up with, you see them do well, you’re like, ‘Wow, if this guy is doing it, what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I do it?’ It’s kind of a domino effect after that.
“You look at Tommy Paul, took him a while to get going. He believes more than anybody right now. Taylor obviously has been playing well for a while.
“Ben, he’s had an up-and-down year, but now he’s playing great tennis. He’s putting it together here.”
Tiafoe is also revelling in being back at the Arthur Ashe Stadium – the imposing 23,000-seat centrepiece of Flushing Meadows named after the only black man to win the US Open.
“I have always watched this tournament as a kid and wanted to play out here and in the biggest stages,” he said.
“There is so much history here. Obviously, Arthur Ashe – what a legend. I just want my name in the same sentence as his. That is why I play my best tennis here.” AFP, REUTERS
