Terrific Tiafoe Stops Monfils' Six-Match Win Streak At Vienna Open

| by Erik Virostko

Frances Tiafoe stopped Gael Monfils' six-match win streak at the 2023 Vienna Open to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 event.

The Frenchman seemed to be unstoppable, especially after winning title in Stockholm. On the other hand, Tiafoe seemed to be struggling a lot, losing five consecutive matches on the ATP Tour, when excluding an exhibition match at the Laver Cup.

In his first-round match in Vienna, the American was also down, 1-4 and 0-30, when his opponent, Daniel Evans was forced to retire due to an injury. If it wasn't for the Brit's injury, Tiafoe would likely exit the Vienna Open already in the first round, given how the match was progressing.

Yet, he made it to round number two, and he really used his chance. Both players, despite having terrific serves, faced plenty of break points in the opening set, but it wasn't until the eleventh game when fans finally saw a break of serve.

It came shortly after the American had a set point in the tenth game, but after the remained unused, Monfils used his chance to break, and after confirming the break with a hold, he won the opening set 7-5.

Shelton's ATP Finals Chances Diminish After First-Round Vienna Exit
Shelton's ATP Finals Chances Diminish After First-Round Vienna Exit

But Tiafoe never gave up, and he actually produced incredible level in the second set of the match. Tiafoe won 20 of the first 22 rallies, coming very close to actually completing a very rare golden set in Vienna.

But that didn't happen, and fans in the Austrian capital didn't even get to see a bagel, as the Frenchman won one of his service games, but that didn't stop the American from winning the second set 6-1 and taking the match to the decider.

The third set was a real fight for a spot in the quarterfinals against Jannik Sinner, who won in the preceding match. Both players had one break point, but only Tiafoe used his chance, and that proved to be the decisive moment.

After two hours of play, Tiafoe won the match 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 to book the quarterfinal spot at the 2023 Vienna Open, stop his losing streak, and also stop his opponent's win streak.

Paris Masters Marks First Tournament Since US Open With All Top 10 Players In Action
Paris Masters Marks First Tournament Since US Open With All Top 10 Players In Action

Read the full article

Just in

Look at more articles