Cincinnati
Tiafoe converts sixth match level, survives late-night scare
American held three match factors in second-set tie-break
August 17, 2024
Mike Lawrence/ATP Tour
Frances Tiafoe defeats Jiri Lehecka after two hours, 52 minutes.
By ATP Employees
Frances Tiafoe survived a late-night scare from Jiri Lehecka on the Cincinnati Open, the place the American prevailed 6-4, 6-7(10), 7-6(5) after changing his sixth match level on Friday.
The house favorite let slip three match factors within the second-set tie-break after which held a 5-2 lead within the remaining set. However Lehecka, who was competing this week for the primary time since retiring within the Madrid semi-finals because of a again damage, gained three consecutive video games and finally pressured a deciding-set tie-break.
Tiafoe, who trailed by a mini-break at 2/4 within the third-set tie-break, let loose a sigh of reduction after clinching the match and wrote, ‘No matter it takes’ on the digital camera lens. He improved to 2-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head collection with Lehecka and superior to the quarter-finals after two hours, 52 minutes.
The 26-year-old discovered a bonus in forehand-to-forehand rallies to stay the extra constant from the baseline. Tiafoe dedicated 34 unforced errors to Lehecka’s 59, in accordance with Infosys ATP Stats. The three-time tour-level titlist overcame the Czech’s 24 aces and can subsequent meet one other large server, Hubert Hurkacz, within the final eight.
Lehecka, 22, was aiming to construct upon his second-round upset towards fourth seed Daniil Medvedev.
Did You Know?An American male has not gained the Cincinnati title since Andy Roddick in 2006. Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, positioned in reverse halves, are the lone Individuals left within the draw.
