. On the other hand, Frances scored five breaks from 13 opportunities and that was enough to forge the triumph for him and send him into the quarters where he will face world no.
2 Rafael Nadal. The young American had more winners and more unforced errors, imposing his shots and staying competitive to earn one of his biggest wins in a career so far. The youngster claimed the opener despite facing eight break points, leading 5-3 before Dimitrov bounced back to 5-5, only to lose serve again in the very next game before Taifoe held for a 7-5.
The American pretty much stole the second set from Grigors hands, trailing 4-2 and having to play against three set points in the tie break. From 6-3 down, Frances rattled off five straight points to wrap up the set somehow, gaining a huge two sets to love lead before the rest of the encounter.
Grigor did a similar thing in the third set, coming back from 4-2 down to win the set in the tie break and extend his chances before another mighty close fourth set that could have gone to both sides. Trailing 5-4, Frances conquered 12 of the last 14 points, breaking Grigor at 5-5 and sealing the deal with a great hold in the following game that pushed him into the quarters.
It means a world to me! I told my parents ten years ago I was gonna be a pro, I was gonna do this, change their life and my life, now Im in the quarter-final of the Slam on my 21st birthday, I cant believe it man.
Grigor and I are great friends, he has been so nice on me ever since I came on the Tour, I told him next time we play I was gonna win and Im happy I got it done today. I almost didnt do my celebration today because I thought I was gonna cramp but I was definitely saving that for Grand Slams.
I cant celebrate my birthday, if I play Rafa next hes gonna run me like a crazy, I got to go to sleep now (laugh). I hope he wins, I have been watching him play for, you know, so many years and if I can play against him in the quarter-final of a Slam, hopefully at night on Rod Laver Arena that would mean a world to me.
He better get ready.
0 thoughts on “Frances Tiafoe: 'I would love to play Rafa on Rod Laver Arena at night'”