Tiafoe Shares Lessons of Facing Federer

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Tiafoe Shares Lessons of Facing Federer

Frances Tiafoe not only stood toe-to-toe with Roger Federer for five pulsating sets in a thrilling US Open opener, he summarized the experience of facing the 19-time Grand Slam champion artfully.

Asked what makes the five-time US Open champion great, Tiafoe cited Federer’s assets clearly.

Watch: Federer Survives Tiafoe

“Go down the list. I mean, can't read his serve,” Tiafoe said. “Jumps on the return ball better than anyone. Doesn't give the baseline up. Yeah, I mean, takes time away. Best mover, by far. Yeah, just sees the game completely different than everybody else.

“Yeah, I mean, he's unbelievable.”

Pushing the 36-year-old Swiss Maestro the distance in a major match, not only fulfilled a childhood dream, it gave Tiafoe, who tested Federer their first meeting in Miami in March, the belief when he’s playing his best, he can boss the best from the baseline.

“When I was hitting the ball big, he wasn't really doing much except staying steady with me,” Tiafoe said. “When I was playing well, I was controlling the rallies and putting the most pressure on him. If I stepped back a little bit, he took that and ran with it.

“Yeah, that's what he did. He won by the skin of his teeth.”

The third-seeded Federer served with more authority and accuracy than the young American—Federer pumped 41 winners, including 17 aces, compared to 23 winners for his opponent.

Facing Federer taught Tiafoe striving to play all-court tennis is the answer.

“That's why they are where they are. That's why they've achieved what they've achieved. I'm just trying to get to that point, where I can hit any shot at any time, get all the tools,” Tiafoe said. “That's when you're pretty tough to beat. When you know you have all the shots, it's pretty easy to play.

“He just puts it all together. He's been doing this for a couple years. He knows what to do in the tough situations."

Photo credit: US Open Facebook

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