PETE ZIEBRON in CINCINNATI
Frances Tiafoe boasting a Washington Wizards jersey in his presser after a win over Gael Monfils. Pete Ziebron Images
Frances Tiafoe came back from two large deficits in the first set to eventually defeat Gael Monfils 7-6(7) 6-3 to advance to the second round of the Western & Southern Open.
Monfils raced to a 5-2 lead in the opening set despite digging out of potential problem games on his serve in the fifth and seventh games of the set. After holding to stay in the set at 2-5, Tiafoe broke Monfils at love and consolidated the break at 15 to level the set at 5-all.
The Frenchman would dig out of a 15-40 hole to take a 6-5 lead and then Tiafoe won his service game at love to advance to the tiebreaker. Monfils held leads of 4-1 and 6-3 in the breaker. However, Tiafoe would proceed to win six of the last seven points to take the opening set at 9-7 in the breaker.
When I asked Tiafoe about the comeback in the tiebreaker, he said this: “It was tough. I played two good points and at 6-6, he overcooked a forehand after a long rally. Just tried to stay in every point. It worked out today.”
The lone break of serve in the second set occurred in the sixth game with Monfils attempting to square the set at 3-all. Tiafoe would break at 15 for a 4-2 lead and then the drama would begin.
Monfils received a time violation as the receiving player. When I asked Tiafoe about the scenario, here is what he had to say: “I mean, he was just trying to pull a move. I mean, let’s get real here. He was trying to slow me down, obviously. He’s got a break. I’m up a set and a break serving, 30-15 have a chance to go for 5-2. He was trying to slow me down. I get it, you know. Using that stuff works but it didn’t work today.”
Tiafoe would hold in the game after nearly a five minute delay with Monfils arguing with the chair umpire. Each player would also hold and Tiafoe closed out the match at the ninety minute mark to advance to the second round. He will play Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain next.
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