Frances Tiafoe upsets Daniil Medvedev: ‘I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly’ | ATP Tour
The Laver Cup
Tiafoe upsets Medvedev: ‘I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly’
Alcaraz and Shelton met in the second match of the day
September 21, 2024
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for the Laver Cup
Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev shared a happy moment during their Laver Cup match on Saturday in Berlin.
By ATP staff
Frances Tiafoe caught such fire on Saturday in Berlin that she felt like she was Roger Federer.
That form helped the World Team player beat European Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 6-4, 10-5 to give his team a 4-2 lead in Berlin.
“To be honest, I just started having fun. We laugh with my team, we laugh with my team here and there. Just having a little fun and really starting to find my rhythm,” Tiafoe said. “The courts are obviously slower than what I’m used to playing on, so it’s difficult to play Danil on this court. But after the second set, in the middle of the second and during the break, I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly. “
The World Team is back on top 🔴@FTiafoe with a stunning 3-6 6-4 [10-5] to defeat Medvedev.@LaverCup | #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/ZeRI2ycna8
– ATP Tour (@atptour) September 21, 2024
Federer, who was in the crowd, gave court reporter Mark Petchey a thumbs up when asked about Tiafoe’s comments. The American player is playing the best tennis of his life, having just reached the semi-finals of the US Open for the first time after reaching the final in Cincinnati.
Tiafoe entered the match facing a 0-5 deficit in the Lexus ATP Head2Head against Medvedev, but he did not let that deter him. He played freely in critical moments and was energetic on the field even when he lost points. After Medvedev’s one shot drew Tiafoe to his side of the court, the American performed his signature splash celebration to compliment his opponent.
“I am very confident. I’m very happy to play this game at the moment,” said Tiafoe. “I’m just trying to play the right way and compete hard, let the chips fall where they may. I respect everyone, but at the moment I fear no one. I just go out, take it to the boys and see what happens.”
Team Europe’s Carlos Alcaraz and Team World Player Ben Shelton now meet in the second match of the day.
