New York (USA), Sep 10 – The American Frances Tiafoe assured this Friday, after falling in the semifinals of the United States Open against the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz, that he has never “played with a rival who move so well” and that the Murcian “is going to be a problem for a long time” for his rivals.
“It will be very difficult to play with him, he is one of the best in the world, without a doubt, and he is young. He hits very hard, I have never played with an opponent who moves so well,” Tiafoe said at the subsequent press conference to the match.
“He’s a phenomenal player, he’s going to be a problem for a long time,” he added.
After a new marathon of five sets and more than four hours, Alcaraz beat Tiafoe 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7(5) and 6-3 to qualify for the Open final of the United States against the Norwegian Casper Ruud, in a duel that will put at stake the glory of New York and the first position in the world ranking.
At 19 years old and with two Masters 1,000 titles already in his showcases, Alcaraz is one game away from raising the first ‘Grand Slam’ of his career to the sky, after knocking down a Tiafoe who reached the semifinals after eliminating fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Russian Andrey Rublev.
Despite the defeat, Tiafoe tried to see the positive and valued the fact that he had his chances to beat Alcaraz.
“But I take my hat off for the lucidity he has had in the big moments,” she concluded.