Frances Tiafoe tells Elias Ymer 'I didn't deserve to win', offers him words of wisdom
The lengthy season was starting to weigh on Frances Tiafoe, who said as much after defeating Elias Ymer at the Stockholm Open.
By ET Spotlight Special |
Agencies
After coming out on top against Swedish tennis player Elias Ymer at the Stockholm Open, American professional tennis player Frances Tiafoe acknowledged that the long season was beginning to wear him down.
Frances Tiafoe was sluggish to get going and local hero Ymer took control early as he claimed the first set and built a 4-0 lead in the second. Tiafoe admitted feeling "very fatigued" after his trips to the US Open, Laver Cup, and Japan Open.
However, the American tennis player picked up a few gears and, in two hours and 36 minutes, managed to win by scores of 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), and 7-6(7-2).
With a run to the final four at Flushing Meadows, Frances Tiafoe reached his first Grand Slam semi-final. He also helped Team World win the Laver Cup for the first time and finished second to Taylor Fritz in Tokyo a fortnight ago. He began his Sweden campaign with a valiant victory over Ymer, who broke in game two before winning the opening set. After breaking twice in the second set, the world No. 129 appeared to have the match in the bag, but Tiafoe eventually settled in and prevailed in two tiebreakers.
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Federer won the 1998 junior title at the All England Club, and another sign of what was to come arrived when he ended seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras’ 31-match winning streak in 2001.
Federer won the 1998 junior title at the All England Club, and another sign of what was to come arrived when he ended seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras’ 31-match winning streak in 2001.
Federer talked about the noise and all of the goings-on in New York, wondering aloud how he would deal with all of the distractions there. He won it the fifth time he entered, beating Lleyton Hewitt.
Federer talked about the noise and all of the goings-on in New York, wondering aloud how he would deal with all of the distractions there. He won it the fifth time he entered, beating Lleyton Hewitt.
Federer’s first Grand Slam matchup against Rafael Nadal was in the semifinals of 2005 French Open, which Nadal won en route to his first major trophy at age 19. Their first Grand Slam final came a year later in Paris.
Federer’s first Grand Slam matchup against Rafael Nadal was in the semifinals of 2005 French Open, which Nadal won en route to his first major trophy at age 19. Their first Grand Slam final came a ye..
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After losing to Nadal in three straight French Open finals (2006-08) and beating him in two consecutive Wimbledon finals (2006-07), Federer carried winning streaks of 40 matches.
After losing to Nadal in three straight French Open finals (2006-08) and beating him in two consecutive Wimbledon finals (2006-07), Federer carried winning streaks of 40 matches.
Federer became the sixth man with a career Grand Slam — at least one trophy at all four majors — and tied Sampras’ men’s record of 14 majors by beating Robin Soderling in Paris.
Federer became the sixth man with a career Grand Slam — at least one trophy at all four majors — and tied Sampras’ men’s record of 14 majors by beating Robin Soderling in Paris.
Federer broke Sampras’ men’s mark for most Slam trophies with his 15th by scraping past familiar foil Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.
Federer broke Sampras’ men’s mark for most Slam trophies with his 15th by scraping past familiar foil Roddick 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14.
Federer took the last half of 2016 off after surgery on his left knee, and he returned to claim his first Grand Slam title since 2012 by defeating Nadal at Melbourne Park.
Federer took the last half of 2016 off after surgery on his left knee, and he returned to claim his first Grand Slam title since 2012 by defeating Nadal at Melbourne Park.
Federer won his men's-record eighth Wimbledon trophy, needing just 101 minutes to dismiss 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
Federer won his men's-record eighth Wimbledon trophy, needing just 101 minutes to dismiss 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.
Federer beat Cilic again for his third title in a five-major span and 20th Slam overall, although this one at Melbourne Park was much tougher.
Federer beat Cilic again for his third title in a five-major span and 20th Slam overall, although this one at Melbourne Park was much tougher.
Fifth seed Alex de Minaur upset JJ Wolf in the bottom half of the draw 6-4, 6-2, earning the Australian a matchup against fourth seed Denis Shapovalov in the round of eight.
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FAQs:
Is Ymer's brother part of the tournament too? Ymer's brother Mikail defeated eighth seed Tommy Paul earlier in the day, 6-2, 6-3, to go to the quarterfinals against top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Who will Frances Tiafoe face in the next match? After Emil Ruusuvuori overcame Jiri Leheka 6-2, 6-2, he will be Tiafoes's next opponent.