NEW YORK – The last U.S. man status at the US Open ranks 82nd in the world and began its summer by saying on July 4 that he had tested positive for COVID-19.His goal is to continue Labor Day with another kind of positive, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, in an eighth round against No.five Daniil Medvedev, who faced Rafael Nadal in five sets in last year’s final.
“I’m in a position to move now,” Frances Tiafoe told USA TODAY Sports after a workout on Sunday.”Feel smart and play well. My (COVID-19 result) definitely a surprise for everyone.My symptoms weren’t too severe, thank God.He thinks it’s almost a blessing that the Citi Open, preventing the August tour in Washington, not far from where he grew up (Hyattsville, Maryland), canceled.
“I’m pretty nervous because I didn’t have much time to prepare,” he said.”In retrospect, I think everything worked in my favor.”
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Tiafoe is 22 years old and nicknamed The Foe.Il is one of the most productive stories of American tennis, and before even making the fourth circular at the Open for the first time, he is the son of refugees who fled Sierra Leone.In the midst of a civil war, his father, Constant, helped build the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Maryland, and then worked as a maintenance manager there, where his five-year-old son hit the ball in opposition against the wall, claiming he bet Roger Federer at the US Open.
Three years ago, Tiafoe did that and took Federer to five sets.
Martin Blackman, USTA general manager, player development, tennis director at JTCC and has known Tiafoe since he was a child.
“His father’s pictorial ethics are excellent, and seeing the sacrifices he and Alfina (his wife) have made for their son is a story of endurance, hope and good fortune, the kind of story we want now,” Blackman USA TODAY Sports wrote.in an email.
With 6 feet and 2 inches and 190 pounds, Tiafoe is a very good engine on the court, with an incredible right racket speed that allows it to generate rhythm and effects, its backhand is also a weapon.Tiafoe has had explosions of brilliity, emerging to 29th place and qualifying for the Australian quarter-finals last year, however, he has tended to force things, to play high-risk tennis in the bad times, going to a winning curler when he is not.Order.
He called Saturday’s third-round victory over Hungarian Marton Fucsovics “one of my performances, from start to finish.Fucsovics had won his last two matches.
“I play smartly, ” said Tiafoe.No’m looking to be too sophisticated, I just did it today.Very professional, very professional This is the kind of performances I look to the future.
Tiafoe has a bouncing, casual tiptoe ride, as if she could move forward at any time.He’s as exuberant and demonstrative on the court as any player on the circuit.In the fifth game of the third set against Fucsovics, Tiafoe gave the impression that he hit a winner with a forehand, before Fucsovics ran out of the area and hit a winner around the net pole.Tiafoe gasped, covered her mouth with her hand and recoiled, as if saying, “There’s no way you did that.”He spent most of the next replacement laughing.
“I’m an open guy, ” Tiafoe.
Blackman has long believed that Tiafoe has the prospect of being an elite player and that he is beginning to be more cautious with his variety of shots, as well as with a very advanced ability to triumph over the emotional extremes that accompany almost every tall one.gambling.
“His temper is equivalent (in this Open) and shows positive emotion at the right time,” Blackman said.”I see the biggest differences, like adulthood and the countryside, in their tactical execution.”
Both Tiafoe and Blackman characterize their progress to their new coach, Wayne Ferreira, a more sensitive former South African 10 player.To sharpen Tiafoe’s concentration, Ferreira asked him to make his fitness paintings without music and asked him to accelerate 30 consecutive shots in the middle of the field or in a cross country If he fails, he has to do it again.
“I’m a very lazy guy, ” said Tiafoe.” Somehow it makes me solve everything.Running on a tape for 30 minutes without music is horrible, hunting on a wall, surely horrible.
He paid off at the Open.Tiafoe won the first five-set attack of his career at the circular moment in front of a relentless Australian, John Millman.He’s in the week of the Open for the first time.Tiafoe lost any of his fites to Medvedev, a 6-Foot-6 Russian.Two months after being shot through the coronavirus, he is ahead of showing off his new and fully regained personality and continuing his tournament.
“When I play the best I can, I can play with anyone,” Tiafoe said.