Frances Tiafoe beats Daniil Medvedev: “Honestly, I felt like Roger Federer” | ATP Tour

LaverCup

Tiafoe angers Medvedev: “Honestly, I felt like Roger Federer”

Alcaraz and Shelton meet in the second game of the day

21 September 2024

Frances Tiafoe was so fiery in Berlin on Saturday that he felt like Roger Federer.

Thanks to this form, the Team World player won 3-6, 6-4 and 10-5 against Team Europe's Daniil Medvedev and secured his team a 4-2 lead in Berlin.

“Honestly, I just started having fun. I was laughing with my team, laughing with my team there and here. I just had a little bit of fun and started to really find my rhythm,” Tiafoe said. “The courts are obviously a lot slower than I'm used to playing on, so it's tough playing against Daniil on that court. But after the second set, in the middle of the second and in the tiebreak, I honestly felt like Roger Federer.”

Team World back on top 🔴@FTiafoe with an impressive 3-6 6-4 [10-5] Victory over Medvedev.@LaverCup | #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/ZeRI2ycna8

— ATP Tour (@atptour) 21 September 2024

Federer, who was sitting in the audience, gave reporter Mark Petchey, who was on hand, two thumbs up when asked about Tiafoe's comment. The American is currently playing the best tennis of his career and has just reached the semi-finals of the US Open for the first time after reaching the final in Cincinnati.

Tiafoe entered the match trailing 5-0 against Medvedev, but he didn't let that intimidate him. He played freely in the decisive moments and had a lot of fun on the court even when he was losing points. After a shot from Medvedev pulled Tiafoe to his side of the court, the American celebrated his opponent with his trademark sprinkler celebration.

“I just have a lot more confidence. I'm enjoying the game a lot right now,” Tiafoe said. “I'm just trying to play the right way and fight as hard as I can, let things go the way they go. I respect everybody, but right now I'm not afraid of anyone. I'm just going to go out there, try and take on the guys and see what happens.”

Carlos Alcaraz from Team Europe and Ben Shelton from Team World now face each other in the second game of the day.