Frances Tiafoe sets unlikely record by reaching 2024 Cincinnati Open final

Frances Tiafoe reached the semifinals of the US Open in 2022.

America’s Frances Tiafoe will play the biggest final of his professional career when he’ll face Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the 2024 Cincinnati Open. Tiafoe is playing his maiden ATP 1000 Masters final, and it took 47 main draws for the 26-year-old to reach the feat.

Since the introduction of the format in 1990, Tiafoe has taken the most main draws by any American to reach a first Masters 1000 final. Earlier, the record was held by Jack Sock, who took 33 main draws to reach his maiden ATP 1000 Masters final.

Taylor Fritz, a two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist, took 31 main draws to reach his first Masters 1000 final. However, at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, Fritz lost to compatriot Brandon Nakashima in three sets. The match also included a controversial outcall decision taken by chair umpire Greg Allensworth.

47 – In his 47th main draw, Frances Tiafoe has reached a maiden ATP Masters 1000 final – the most main draws of any American to reach a first Masters 1000 final since the format's introduction in 1990. Breakthrough.#CincyTennis | @CincyTennis @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/kubcxRzaYp

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) August 19, 2024

Talking about the American’s campaign in Cincinnati, he defeated Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening round. Later, he recorded a comfortable victory over the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and informed Lorenzo Musetti.

ALSO READ: Jannik Sinner becomes first Italian man in Open Era to reach Cincinnati Open final

In the third round, he took down Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka to reach the quarterfinals in a breathtaking three-setter. Lehecka fired 24 aces against Tiafoe but converted only one breakpoint. The 26-year-old eventually sealed the victory 6-4, 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (7-5). In a rain-affected quarterfinal, Hubert Hurkacz retired in the first set due to a knee injury.

In the semifinals, he faced Denmark’s Holger Rune. Compared to Rune, Frances Tiafoe made minimal unforced errors and double faults. The American tennis star scored 26 winners and made 13 unforced errors. Meanwhile, the Dane scored 35 winners but also made 27 unforced errors. After two hours and 11 minutes, Tiafoe won the match 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) after saving two match points.

Tiafoe said in his on-court interview, “Crazy, crazy. That last set was nuts. It got pretty breezy there at the end so we were kind of just playing the percentages. But yeah, I got really lucky there. I had a couple of net cords, but I also battled. I competed really hard and put myself in position.”

Frances Tiafoe will also represent Team World at the 2024 Laver Cup. Additionally, for the first time since 1997, there are five American tennis players in the top 20 ATP rankings: Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda, and Frances Tiafoe.

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