NEW YORK_The drama grew more compelling with each of the 56 errors Roger Federer committed and each pushback mounted by 19-year-old American Frances Tiafoe. Straining and flailing, Federer showed only occasional signs of his usual grace in their first-round match Tuesday at the U.S. Open. Tiafoe pushed the pace and had 36-year-old Federer on the ropes, great theater playing out on the slow, hard court of Arthur Ashe Stadium instead of on Broadway.
It took three match points for Federer, physically drained but still wily, to clinch a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 victory. "In the fifth set I got my energy back," Federer said. "It was play to win, don't play just to hope that he will miss."
It was a coming-of-age moment for Tiafoe, who is the son of immigrants and learned to play at the Maryland tennis club where his father was a custodian. It also hinted at advancing age for 19-time Slam winner Federer, who missed last year's Open because of knee problems and has had back woes that compromised his preparation. Yet, he will advance and Tiafoe will balance disappointment against well-earned pride after coming so close to the victory of his life.
"I want to win matches like this," said Tiafoe, who's ranked No. 70 in the world. "For a while I feel like I can play against anyone in the world. Now, it's a matter of finishing these types of matches."
Federer, who didn't lose a set in winning at Wimbledon, blamed his slow start on being cautious about pushing his back too strenuously. But he was undermined by other flaws. "I lost my footing, I was misjudging distances," he said.
Tiafoe pounced often and pushed as hard as he could, breaking Federer's serve to cut the Swiss star's lead to 5-4 in the fifth set. "He is the greatest," said Tiafoe, who said he appreciated the words of encouragement Federer spoke as they left the court. "It means a lot that he said that to me, that he thinks I have a future."
Tiafoe's time hasn't come quite yet. And Federer might still have another Grand Slam victory or two in his power. "I really enjoyed myself even though maybe I also was tired and nervous at the end," Federer said. "It was very cool to be part of that match."
