American tennis lived a magical day this Friday at the US Open. If Tommy Paul defeats Alejandro Davidovich earlier than expected, then it will be the turn of Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz.
Tiafoe beats wily veteran Adrian Mannarino 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6(6) in a matchup where he managed to convert just five of 15 break points against an opponent whose unpredictable style gave him plenty of trouble.
“It’s as annoying as playing with him. He passes the ball back and forth, he’s slow. You look at him and wonder: what’s he doing?” he laughed during an interview on the track.
Last year, Tiafoe became the first black American to reach the semifinals at Flushing Meadows since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
“So much history here, Arthur Ashe Stadium, a legendhe says. “I want my name to appear in the same sentence as yours. I think that’s why I’ve played some of my best tennis here.”
For his part, Taylor Fritz defeated Czech Jakub Mensik, 18, 6-1, 6-2 and 6-0 to reach the second week of competition for the first time.
Fritz, ninth seed, will try to stop another qualifier, the Swiss Dominic Strickerin the round of 16.
At this year’s US Open, the Americans will be looking to break a 20-year drought at major tournaments.
Source: La Verdad
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