Frances Tiafoe stuns Rune, reaches his first Masters 1000 final
What's the story
American star Frances Tiafoe stunned Holger Rune to reach the Cincinnati Open final on August 18. The former claimed a 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) win to qualify for his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 final. Despite being down 5-2 in the decisive set and facing two successive match points at 5-4, Tiafoe managed to turn the tide. This victory propels him back into the world's top 20 players.
Determination
Tiafoe's resilience and strategy in comeback
Tiafoe demonstrated remarkable resilience during his match against Rune. "At 5-2 down, I wasn't really that stressed," he said in the post-match presentation. He emphasized the importance of staying tough and forcing his opponent to earn the victory. This tenacity was evident as he navigated significant momentum swings throughout the game, ultimately leading to his triumph over Rune.
Progression
Tiafoe's journey to victory in Cincinnati Open
The semi-final match between Tiafoe and Rune was marked by consistent momentum shifts. After losing the first set, Tiafoe rebounded in the second with a score of 6-1. Despite Rune taking an early lead in the final set, Tiafoe managed to level the score at 5-5 and force a tiebreak. "Crazy. That last set was nuts," he commented on his performance during this crucial phase of the game.
Information
First American with this feat
As per ATP, Tiafoe has become the first American to reach the Cincinnati final since John Isner in 2013. He reached the milestone in his 47th main-draw appearance, the most for any American since the format's introduction in 1990.
Challenge
Tiafoe to face Jannik Sinner in final
Tiafoe will take on men's singles world number one Jannik Sinner in the Cincinnati final. The American acknowledged Sinner's impressive track record this season but remained confident about his own performance. Sinner secured his place in the final after a thrilling victory over world number three, Alexander Zverev. As per Opta, Sinner became the first Italian in the Open Era to reach the Cincinnati Open final.