US teenager Frances Tiafoe came tantalisingly close to a stunning US Open upset on Monday, only to be denied by compatriot and five-set master John Isner
New York: US teenager Frances Tiafoe came tantalisingly close to a stunning US Open upset on Monday, only to be denied by compatriot and five-set master John Isner.
Tiafoe, an 18-year-old who received a wild card into the draw of the final Grand Slam of the year, won the first two sets and served for the match in the fifth before the 31-year-old Isner sealed a 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) victory.
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The match enthralled the crowd at the brand new Grandstand court, part of the $600 million remodel of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
"Serving for it I thought I definitely had it," said a disappointed Tiafoe, the son of immigrants from Sierra Leone.
"I definitely thought the match was over, but he played a good return game. Didn't make that many first serves that game. Probably should have played a higher percentage, but it's tough, toughest loss of my career so far for sure.
"If I could replay that, probably wouldn't have gotten as hyped up when I broke," Tiafoe said. "Maybe would have taken a little bit out of it."
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