US Open 2023: American show continues as Tiafoe, Fritz, Paul enter Round of 16
American tennis player Frances Tiafoe triumphed over Adrian Mannarino, a skilled veteran from France, in a fiercely contested match at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday.
The match, which lasted nearly three hours, saw Tiafoe battle Mannarino’s irregular play style, converting only five of 15 break points to secure a tough victory with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6(6). This win propelled Tiafoe into the 2023 US Open Round of 16.
The 23-year-old American player replicated his dazzling performance from last year when he advanced to the semi-finals, making history as the first Black American man to achieve this since the legendary Arthur Ashe in 1972. Maintaining a firm resolve, Tiafoe reiterated his determination to leave his imprint on the world of tennis.
Tiafoe’s upcoming matches could lead to a quarter-final clash with fellow American Tommy Paul, who, after a momentary setback in the third set, successfully beat Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, marking his first-ever advancement to the fourth round.
The support from Paul’s passionate young fan, Eddy of Brooklyn, significantly contributed to the player’s crucial comeback from a two set deficit during Wednesday’s riveting second round. Eddy is expected to rally on Friday on Paul’s behalf.
Taylor Fritz, another shining star from the US, carried his phenomenal momentum into Friday’s match against 18-year-old Czech player Jakub Mensik, completely overwhelming him with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 sweep on Louis Armstrong Stadium to advance to the last 16 of the US Open.
Fritz stormed through the opening week of the tournament, showcasing his striking focus and intensity by winning 30 of 33 points on his first serve, not yielding a single break point, and accumulating 25 winners against Mensik’s six.
The trio’s dominant performance suggests that the American players are strong contenders to end the 20-year drought of a grand slam win in men’s tennis at this year’s US Open.