After defeating Yasutaka Uchiyama 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Japan Open on Monday, Frances Tiafoe, a semi-finalist at the US Open, claimed he was “flying high with confidence.”
Last month, the American created a name for himself by upsetting Rafael Nadal en route to a surprise appearance in the final four at Flushing Meadows. He also played a prominent role in the Laver Cup.
The world’s No. 19 is competing in his first singles competition since the US Open this week in Tokyo, where he easily defeated the Japanese wild card Uchiyama.
Tiafoe stated that he was “not really feeling any pressure” despite the fact that his recent accomplishments had thrust him into the limelight.
“Every day is different, guys can play great, and they can beat you,” he said. “You have to live with that.”
“My confidence is through the roof, and I’m simply sticking to my process.”
In the second round, Tiafoe will face Bernabe Zapata Miralles, who defeated Taro Daniel of Japan 7-5, 7-5.
Tiafoe did not lose a single service game to Uchiyama and finished the match in one hour and twelve minutes.
He remarked, “I hit the ball well from the ground, I moved well, and I made first serves when necessary.”
It was straight sets and I was not broken; it could have been worse.
Pedro Martinez of Spain defeated Alexei Popyrin of Australia 7-5, 6-4, and Brandon Nakashima of the United States defeated Shintaro Mochizuki of Japan 6-3, 6-2.
Casper Ruud will face Jaume Munar of Spain in his opening match on Tuesday, while Nick Kyrgios will face Tseng Chun-hsing of Taiwan later in the day.
AFP