Frances Tiafoe : It Can Be That Good

Thankfully after the rain the weather was much cooler which was needed after the awful humidity.

Seppi vs. Tiafoe

This was an intriuging match with the raw power of Tiafoe against the guile of Seppi. The first set was the feeling out the process both were holding serve easily. Unsurprisingly the 1st set went to the tiebreaker which Seppi took.

Big Foe has definitely not missed chest day at the gym, he definitely has a unique technique but generates so much power it's always a question of how the technique holds up under pressure. The crowd was very much pro Foe the spectacular will always get the people on side as they want to be entertaining.

Tiafoe took advabtage of a poor service game from Seppi and took the 2nd set, there was so little between these guys with the match played in a fun atmosphere and court 3 is easily the best show court at the Aus Open.

Seppi is a calm character, continues to serve well and use his forehand to open the court and expose the Foe forehand on low balls. Seppi served for the 3rd set at *5-3, anyone who follows the sport knows Seppi serving out sets and matches is akways interesting.. The Foe breaks serve and then plays a very loose game to lose the set 6-4.

This is the point where Seppi needed to be at his strongest mentally but was broken in the opening game. Tiafoe isn't missing much on the backhand side, he used some short shots which Seppi made easily but unusually did not make the next shots. Big Foe is starting to get into the groove while Seppi is getting further behind the baseline and Tiafoe levels 2 set all.


Tiafoe

Deservedly this match is going 5 sets, the one lowlight was Sharapova screaming so loud from Rod Laver Arema that everyone heard it on the court, they really should put a muzzle on her it's fair for nearly everyone.



Seppi started serving first and he went down 0-40, saving 2 break points and then the dead let cord. Big Foe breaks and is down 0-40 but the American was serving very well especially body serves and huge kickers on the ad side. With all that strength not a surprise he can generate that power.

Tiafoe is riding the momentum train which was definitely express using the huge forehand to slap winners once Seppi was unable to break back straight away. Tiafoe was clearly dominant there was a very small window of opportunity where Seppi got a bit passive. The Foe ran with that opportunity and broke for the match.

Excellent and hard fought match with Taifoe a deserved winner, the Lebron James celebrations at the end was quality. As they say in the pro wrestling Tiafoe is well over the crowd. Now take out Dimitrov


Bautista Agut vs. Khachanov

After 2 big 5 setters the question was how would Bautigol pull up against an opponent who has the power but lacks variety. The conditions were much cooler and with these balls fluffing up, Bautigol dialled in the radar and was his usual accurate self.

Khachanov needed it to be slightly quicker with his very heavy forehand to get more pop off the court. Bautista is undefeated ths season and it's easy to see why. He is not the most powerful but places the serve well, hardly misses backhands and yes for a Spanish player he hits very flat anf his timing is exceptional.


Bautista Agut

Bautigol takes the frist 2 sets and as per previous matches against Murray and Millman went down an early break in the 3rd set. Thankfully for Bautista he was able to break back with his solid play while the big Russian was trying to dominate with the forehand.

Khachanov definitely has a lot of hype, but this is a match where he didn't deliver especially as Bautista Agut has had 2 previous 5 set matches and didn't make him work him hard enough. A very delighted Bautista Agut wins in straight sets this was a case of brain over brawn.

Talking Points

Got to see some points of the Dream Team of Taro Daniel and John Millman having a hit of doubles. Great to see the brothers from another mother having a great time. Even Taro Daniel called Millman a machine when it comes to his subjects, but we know the Mialman is a man of the people.

Friday nights are not always fun at the tennis as the non tennis people who have been on the sauce with their expert commentary on matches and trying to get themselves over, they can get lost.