Americans at the US Open confirm Tiafoe’s confident words! How did Isner’s dernier turn out?

When, before the start of the US Open, Frances Tiafoe invoked the strength of the American tennis players, it might have seemed to be more of a confident statement with strong motivational undertones. However, most of the tennis players Tiafoe mentioned are indeed performing at their home majors. Who will be the next opponents of the US players? And what about John Isner’s dernier?

Before the start of this year’s US Open, Francese Tiafoe was convinced that the quality is definitely there in the US team. He named Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz as the biggest American mainstays.

He didn’t leave out Eubanks or younger players like Ben Shelton and Korda in his list of American hopes. Last but not least, he named himself. So far, most of the Americans are living up to the words of the Maryland native.

Clean work

So far, two of the Americans have not lost a set at the last Grand Slam of the season. First of all, it is Tiafoe himself. The 25-year-old is leading by example and is approaching his semi-final result from last year without any major problems.

Even smoother is the course of the matches of the highest-seeded US representative so far. Fritz, as the ninth seed, has not allowed any of his opponents more than two games in a set so far.

After his match against Peru’s Varillas, he duly praised his great start to the Major. There are few things like quick wins to boost your confidence.

Let’s see if the upcoming duel against Jakub Mensik will be more challenging for Fritz. If he beats the 17-year-old Czech, he will be closer to a match with Novak Djokovic, who would probably be waiting for the 25-year-old native of California in the quarterfinals.

Tiafoe will face a battle for the eighth round against a seeded opponent. That will be the experienced Frenchman Manarino. He has been playing in solid form since June, but Tiafoe will still be the clear favourite in this match.

The other Americans

One win away from a personal best at Flushing Meadows Paul. The 14th player in the ATP rankings is looking for a match against Spain’s Davidovich Fokine. The latter has caught form like thunder on the concrete this year and Paul is one match away from a possible American derby.

In that event, Paul could face Shelton. The 20-year-old seems to be getting in better shape and will be a slight favourite against the dangerous Russian Karatsev.

Isner’s debut

John Isner, winner of the longest match in tennis history, announced the end of his career after this year’s US Open. The author of nearly 15,000 aces took on compatriot Michael Mmoh on Thursday. After two sets won, the setback came in a similarly lost tiebreak.

Isner again helped himself with his serve, produced 48 aces and lost his serve only once in the entire match. And that was in the fourth set. Thanks to this fact, the match went to a deciding set.

The American veteran was close to winning the match, but he did not use his match point at 5:4. The fifth set ended in a shortened game and again Isner failed.

Thus ends the career of the tennis player who was the number one in the USA for a long time. Twenty-five-year-old Mmoh will play in the third round and now has his best result at a domestic major in his pocket.

Finally..

Of course, it’s possible to falter at the start of a tournament, but for the best players, the tougher matches come later. Now it’s going to get tough. The tennis players representing the USA are concentrated at the bottom of the pool and there looms a big obstacle in the form of Djokovic.

At the top of the tournament draw, there is a chance for the warrior Mmoh, for example. He has already had a great match against Russian Khachanov before his duel with Isner. He has had a very successful season since Wimbledon and that seems to be building up at the US Open.

Sources: US Open, Eurosport