Frances Tiafoe has grow to be a bona fide star on the ATP Tour together with his performances over the previous 12 months, and the American now has his second tour-level title to underline his simple progress.
The fan favorite confirmed type and substance in his 7-6(1), 7-6(6) victory in opposition to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Sunday’s last on the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship to return to the winner’s circle for the primary time since his maiden trophy run in 2018 at Delray Beach.
Addressing his Argentine opponent in the course of the trophy ceremony, Tiafoe mentioned: “I do not know you that nicely, however I do know you actual nicely after immediately. It was an absolute conflict and an unbelievable last. I hope you guys [in the crowd] all loved it, as a result of that is what it is about.
“My second title, here in Houston on U.S. soil, so thank you!” he continued, sharing that his girlfriend, Canadian tennis participant Ayan Broomfield, stunned him by displaying up within the stands for the title match.
The prime seed at an occasion for the primary time in his profession, Tiafoe accomplished everything of his Houston run in two days after persistent rain delayed play for 3 days in the course of the week. After successful two matches on Saturday, the 25-year-old repeated the feat on Sunday with a semi-final win in opposition to Gijs Brouwer earlier than his last victory.
Tiafoe didn’t lose a set en path to the title on the ATP 250 and dropped serve solely as soon as on the occasion, when just a few nervy misses prevented him from serving out the ultimate at 5-4 within the second set. His trophy run will elevate him 4 locations to a brand new profession excessive of No. 11 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.
Tiafoe thrilled the Houston crowd with spectacular shotmaking all through the one-hour, 53-minute championship match, producing a few of his greatest factors on the most vital moments.
After the opening set handed by with no break level, Tiafoe broke open the tie-break with a working backhand passing shot that gave him a 5/1 lead. In set two, after aggressive returning introduced him to 0/40 at 2-2, the American hit the shot of the match to safe his first and solely break — a half-volley from the baseline that left Etcheverry stranded and shocked.
Tiafoe was in assault mode from first ball to final on the crimson clay, his energy tennis matched solely by his trendy aptitude. While his degree briefly dipped late within the second set, the American regrouped from 1/3 and three/5 down within the second-set tie-break, successful prolonged rallies at 5/5 and 6/6 earlier than clinching victory on his second match level together with his twelfth ace of the match.
His title breakthrough comes after 4 straight last defeats from 2018-22, together with two final season in Estoril and Tokyo. Tiafoe additionally made waves on the Grand Slam stage final season by reaching the US Open semi-finals.
Argentina’s Etcheverry was in search of his first ATP Tour title after dropping the Santiago last to Nicolas Jarry earlier this season. He may even attain a brand new profession excessive in Monday’s Pepperstone ATP Rankings, which can see him transfer up 14 locations to No. 59.
Source web site: www.atptour.com
