David Goffin battled past Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 5-7 6-4 7-5 after 4 hours and 36 minutes to reach the quarter final at Wimbledon for the second time in his career. The former world number 7 lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in 2019.
Goffin came into today’s mach with a 4-1 lead in his head-to-head matches against Tiafoe and won their most recent clash in the second rround at this year’s Roland Garros.
Both players broke their opponent’s serve six times. Tiafoe held two break points at 5-5 in the fifth set, but Goffin saved them before earning a decisive break in the 12th game of the fifth set the seal a thrilling win, when Tiafoe netted a backhand.
The Belgian player reached the quarter final on his last appearance at Wimbledon in 2019. He missed Wimbledon with an ankle injury and was also sidelined by a knee injury from August 2021 to January 2022.
“It means a lot. For me last year was very tough with some injuries. Some tough moments on the court, but this year I came back stronger. I fought a lot to come back at my best level. I did not play a match since 2019 here at the 2019 Championships, so to come back this year to compete again well on that surface that I love, at this tournament that I love, and win four matches in a row again, it is just incredible. It’s always tough when you played almost four hours already and you have to play a fifth set. It’s not easy. At the end I took my chance. I was aggressive with the return. I am very happy to winn that one. It was a tough match”, said Goffin.
Goffin will take on Cameron Norrie, who beat Tommy Paul 6-4 7-5 6-4.
