Epic US Open Battle Between Federer and Tiafoe Ignites Twitter

The 19-year-old American player gives the Swiss champion a five set, first-round scare

Federer and Tiafoe
Getty Images

Roger Federer was expected to breeze through the first round of the U.S. Open on Tuesday night, but American newcomer Frances Tiafoe had other ideas.

The 19-year-old took the third seed favorite through a challenging five-set battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, before Federer finally held him off.

While the eight-time Wimbledon champion survived to advance to the next round, it was Tiafoe who had both the crowd and social media on its feed applauding him.

“Many call Tiafoe the future of American tennis. Deservedly so tonight!” one Twitter user wrote.

“Tiafoe is the future we deserve,” said another.

Originally from Maryland and the son of immigrants from Sierra Leone, Tiafoe now lives and trains in Boca Raton, Florida. He is ranked 70th in the world and has never been past the second round at a Grand Slam tournament.

Following his 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 win over Tiafoe, 36-year-old Federer will now face the winner of the match between Mikhail Youzhny and Blaz Kavcic, which was postponed due to rain Tuesday, ESPN reported.

See the Twitter frenzy about the epic match below.

https://twitter.com/mscottbone/status/902746701714378752

https://twitter.com/juntunen_james/status/902748362872631296

Comments