US Open: Federer narrowly beats American teenager Frances Tiafoe
US Open: Roger Federer beats Frances Tiafoe
Federer had to battle 19-year-old Tiafoe all the way into the fifth set before finally clinching the first round encounter 4-6 6-2 6-1 1-6 6-4.
Former World No-1 Roger Federer beat American teenager Frances Tiafoe in a close five-set encounter to remain on course to clash against Nadal in the US Open tennis championships on Wednesday.
Federer had to battle 19-year-old Tiafoe all the way into the fifth set before finally clinching the first round encounter 4-6 6-2 6-1 1-6 6-4 in a long two and a half hour battle.
The match played under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium due to rain, made life difficult for Federer as he not only had to fight his opponent, the home raucous crowd ensured the match turned out to be a virtual Switzerland vs US fight.
"We had a good fight," Federer said later. "It was exciting and this is why I came to New York, to go through these emotions," Federer declared.
The topsy-turvy battle saw Federer lose the first set then coming back to win the next two sets before Tiafoe came hammering down on Federer to win the fourth 1-6 but the former World No-1 held on to close the set 6-4 to advance into the second round.
"He is a great player and has a bright future ahead of him," Federer said on 19-year-old American teen sensation Frances Tiafoe.
Federer next meets either Slovenian Blaz Kavcic or Russian Mikhail Youzhny.