Frances Tiafoe kept his hopes of qualifying for the semifinal at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan with a crucial 4-2 4-3 (7-5) 3-4 (4-7) 4-1 win over Frenchman Ugo Humbert. Tiafoe moves to 1-1 in the round robin Group B.
Tiafoe earned the first break of the match in the third game to take a 2-1 lead with a spectacular no-look forehand passing shot and held on his serve to cruise through the opening set 4-2.
Both players went on serve with no breaks to set up a tie-break in the second set. Humbert took a 5-3 lead in the tie-break, but Tiafoe won two consecutive points to draw level to 5-5 with to big forehands. Humbert sent a backhand wide, as he was serving to stay in the set at 5-6.
Both players set up another tie-break in the third set. Humbert hit a forehand volley winner and and a backhand winner to race out to a 4-0 lead and sealed the tie-break with a forehand on set point.
Tiafoe got his first break in the third game of the fourth game to take a 2-1 lead. He sealed the win with a double break thanks to with a backhand return winner on match point.
“I think that was the best shot I have ever hit in my life. I am glad the crowd liked it. I loved it and the team loved it. I really like coming to Milan. The fans are great. I feel very loved here. Little kids seem to like me quite a lot. That means a lot to me”.
