Federer says Francis Tiafoe is a star in the making
Roger Federer was pitted against Francis Tiafoe in the Miami open round 2 on Saturday. Federer was greatly impressed with the playing style of the 19-year old American player. He defeated Tiafoe in 2 straight sets. Federer further commented on the new breed of tennis players
Roger Federer was up against world number 101 Francis Tiafoe in the second round of the Miami open on Saturday. The youngster gave Federer a run for his money in the first set taking it to a tiebreaker, but lost the second set cheaply, 6-3.
Federer was greatly impressed with the youngster's playing style.
The 18-time Grand slam champion commented,"I think the question was always how was he going to come out. It's the question also for any player. Also for me. How can you start a match? Seemed to be fearless, no problem, good serving, taking the ball early, making plays, "
"That's what I like to see, when a young player comes out, that he really feels he has nothing to lose and he's only got stuff to gain."
Federer further added that he hoped that the youngster learned a great deal from their match. He said that playing in front of a crowd puts you under pressure and saving and making match-points and breakpoints become difficult but he hopes that Tiafoe learned how to absorb the pressure and come out on top.
Tiafoe is the son of immigrants from Sierra Leone and he grabbed the headlines by winning the orange bowl junior competition in Key Biscayne, Miami. He was the youngest person ever to win it. He entered the French open as a wildcard at 17 and won his first match in the Australian Open against Mikhail Kukushkin.
Federer was not at all astonished with the powerful play and hard-hitting serves of the American youngster.
He said,"I've hit Frances maybe twice before: once at the French Open and once at the US Open. There he surprised me. I'm not going get the surprise really a second time around because I saw the power he had, the explosivity he had. You know, how easily he can generate pace."
Federer said that the 19-year old is bound to be a success. Moreover, he said that the new generation of tennis players help each other get better and practice a healthy rivalry which is for the good of tennis.
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