Phenomenal Frances: Tiafoe Stuns Dimitrov For First Slam QF

20 January 2019 06:23
What's the best birthday gift Frances Tiafoe could give himself? How about a first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open. Tiafoe made a massive statement on one of the game's biggest stages, punching his ticket into the last eight at Melbourne Park on Sunday. On his 21st birthday, the #NextGenATP star upset 20th seed Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 7-5 to secure his spot in the quarters. If there was any doubt of Tiafoe's arrival, the Maryland native stepped up in the big moments and played the match of his young career. He is the youngest American to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals since a 20-year-old Andy Roddick advanced to the semis in 2003. Tiafoe fired 63 winners in total to prevail after three hours and 39 minutes, setting a quarter-final clash against Rafael Nadal. It has been a breakout fortnight for the World No. 39, having earned the biggest win of his young career (by ATP Ranking) over sixth-ranked Kevin Anderson in the second round, followed by his first five-set win over Andreas Seppi, before stunning Dimitrov. It was a picture perfect Sunday afternoon on Melbourne Arena and Tiafoe would fight through a gritty opening set to take the early lead. They would exchange leads as the set progressed, but it was a more energetic and aggressive Tiafoe who eventually captured the opener after 52 minutes. And with his back against the wall in the second set, the 21-year-old would show immense poise under pressure. [ALSO LIKE] Tiafoe clawed back from a 4-2 deficit to force a tie-break, where he would save a pair of set points. A sublime half-volley drop shot swung the match to his corner. Unrattled and dialed in, Tiafoe exhibited his growing maturity as he snatched a two-set lead. Dimitrov would not go down without a fight. With Tiafoe in firm control up two sets and a break, his Bulgarian opponent found a second gear. Trailing 2-4, proceedings would suddenly shift to Dimitrov's side of the net, as he broke right back and seized control in improbable fashion. He would take the ensuing tie-break and seemed to be on his way to a stunning comeback. But this was Tiafoe's day and, despite calling for the physio for muscle cramps, he would not acquiesce to defeat. With Dimitrov leading 5-4 in the fourth set, Tiafoe reeled off 12 of the last 14 points to clinch the victory. Tiafoe got his revenge on Dimitrov following the Bulgarian's victory at the Rogers Cup last year, where he survived in a third-set tie-break. He will next face Rafael Nadal in what will be his first meeting with the World No. 2.  Tiafoe's victory also marks the second straight year in which an American has reached the last eight at the Australian Open, with Tennys Sandgren achieving the feat in 2018. Meanwhile, Dimitrov's first Grand Slam alongside new coach Andre Agassi concludes with a Round of 16 finish. He has reached the fourth round in Melbourne in five of the past six years. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion is targeting a return to the Top 10 this year with Agassi in his corner, having entered the tournament at No. 21 in the ATP Rankings. .videoWrapper { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; /* 16:9 */ padding-top: 25px; height: 0; } .videoWrapper iframe { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }.readfullarticle

Source: Atpworldtour