Tiafoe Comes Up Big Again, Upsets Schwartzman; Zverev v Alcaraz

by Staff | October 29th, 2021, 11:18 pm
  • 3 Comments

Frances Tiafoe’s big week in Vienna continued on Friday. A day after stunning Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets, the American upended Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 7-6(6).

Tiafoe nearly gave it back blowing a 5-1 lead in the second, but held on in the breaker. It’s his fourth Top 10 win since the start of the grass season.

“I was playing great tennis, I was happy where I was at. New balls came and I got a little lackadaisical that game. Then Diego just kind of started locking in,” Tiafoe said. “I started rushing, I started trying to hit everything as hard as I can. It was not fun. I don’t know what to tell you, it was not fun. There was not one part of it that was fun.”

In his first semifinal of 2021 and his first at the ATP 500 level, Tiafoe will take on the hot-handed Jannik Sinner.

The Italian won his seventh straight match – 14 straight sets – easing past Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-1.

“The past couple of weeks indoors I’ve felt well. Obviously we can see that in the results as well, but every match is different,” said Sinner. “I have to stay focused, I have a goal in my head. Obviously a lot of pressure, but it’s all about mental game in this sport and I think I’m doing it in the right way.”

Tournament favorite Alexander Zverev won his second straight 3-setter topping Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Zverev, who has won 23 of his last 25 matches, broke the Canadian in a lengthy game at 3-2.

The German will meet the youngster from Spain Carlos Alcaraz. The 18-year-old edged Matteo Berrettini in a final set breaker 6-1, 6-7(2), 7-6(5) for his second career Top 10 win.

“This is one of my best performances on Tour so far,” Alcaraz said. “I am really happy for that and it was amazing. I just tried to play aggressively all the time. In the tough moments it was important to be able to do that.”

Zverev rolled Alcaraz 6-3, 6-1 in Acapulco earlier this year in this only meeting.

“He has improved a lot,” Zverev said looking ahead. “He has made big steps forward and is a great player, so I am looking forward to that match.”


You Might Like:
Teen Alcaraz Tops Schwartzman In Rio For Biggest Career Title
Alcaraz Returns To Rio For Title Defense, Norrie Seeded No. 2
Tsitsipas v Alcaraz Showdown Looms Friday In Barcelona
Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz All On Brutal Half Of French Open Draw
US Open Stars Alcaraz, Ruud Headline ATP Acapulco

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

3 Comments for Tiafoe Comes Up Big Again, Upsets Schwartzman; Zverev v Alcaraz

skeezer Says:

Tiafoe in the final with a great win over Sinner.


tennismonger Says:

Now THAT was an amazing match…I don’t think Big Foe was ever MP down but he may as well have been. Sinner has been playing very, very well lately. Very cool that he appears to have made the ATP final. Only other player as hot at the moment is…Fritzy, over there in St. Petersburg.

It would be something if one of them (or both) wins tomorrow.


tennismonger Says:

Well, looks like Cilic cooled of Fritzy today…nice to see him having a late-career run – he didn’t snag that 2014 USO for nothing!

Top story: Rafael Nadal Is Ready To Go For Australia, No Timetable On Retirement