‘Super emotional’ Tiafoe wins Stuttgart title to break into top 10

United States’ Frances Tiafoe celebrates after profitable the ultimate match of the Stuttgart Open in opposition to Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.
| Photo Credit: AP

Frances Tiafoe turned solely the third African-American man to achieve the highest 10 on the planet rankings, becoming a member of Arthur Ashe and James Blake, after the 25-year-old captured the third title of his profession in Stuttgart on Sunday.

The U.S. Open semi-finalist survived a championship level within the third-set tiebreak to seal an exhilarating 4-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(8) win over German Jan-Lennard Struff for his first grasscourt crown forward of subsequent month’s Grand Slam at Wimbledon.

Tiafoe, who was born to immigrant dad and mom who ultimately settled within the United States after fleeing civil struggle in Sierra Leone within the Nineties, mentioned reaching a career-high quantity 10 was one thing that he would always remember.

“Super emotional. For a guy like me, with my story and everything,” mentioned Tiafoe, who was uncovered to the game when his father labored as a caretaker at a tennis centre in Maryland.

“I’m a guy who shouldn’t even really be here doing half the things he’s doing.

“And now when you say his name, you can say he’s top 10 in the world. So (that is) something that no one can take from you and I’m going to remember that forever. And hopefully, I can ride that for a long time.”

Tiafoe’s achievement signifies that he and quantity eight Taylor Fritz are the primary American duo within the high 10 since Mardy Fish and John Isner in May 2012.

He has additionally gained titles on each floor after claiming the Houston claycourt crown earlier within the 12 months so as to add to his 2018 triumph on the hardcourts of Delray Beach.

“It show’s that I’m a complete player. When I’m locked in I can play on every surface,” Tiafoe mentioned.