Last year’s US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe beats Chinese teenager Chang Juncheng 6-4 6-4 6-1 in the John Cain Arena to cruise into the third round at the Australian Open.
Tiafoe fired 20 aces and 40 winners and did not drop his serve in the match. The US player fended off all four break points he faced.
Tiafoe earned a break in each of the first two sets to take a 2-0 lead. Tiafoe built a 4-1 lead with two breaks of serve, but he needed seven match points to close out the third set 6-1.
“I felt like I have been really confident. Even the other day I could have done in three easy sets. It helps that it ended up being a scare because I was aware that things can get away from me. I just kept my foot on the foot the whote time going through, and it was a good performance there. I served really well. A little early on I was not making a lot of mistakes, but once I settled in, I was really solid. I am moving well. Lately I have been about as fit as I can be. My movement is really solid. I am getting a lot of balls and just being soild. The serve is the difference. I served 20 aces. Percentage is getting better. As you get deeper in the draw, you have to hold serve, so if I get some freebies, I will take them”.
Chang Juncheng made history by becoming the first player to win an Australlian Open main draw singles match at the age of 17 with a 6-2 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 win over Germany’s Oscar Otte. Chang Juncheng is the youngest player in the main draw at this year’s edition of the Australian Open.
“I played an unbelievable match. Chang Juncheng is going to be an unbelievable player. He is already a really good player. It’s tough playing someone that young. That dude is really special. He is going to be a problem. He is 17 playing like that, hitting the ball like that, moving like that. The boy is a problem. He is going to have a career that’s going to be special. I am a big fan of him. He is a super nice guy as well. I hope nothing but the best for him. I had a lot of good words to say for him after the match. On the run he can hit great shots. He is pretty skilled. He can slice. He has all the shots. His serve can be better. He will be really tough. I feel every return game I made him pay. That’s the only thing to get better. He is 17. So once that gets better. You know they are coming for you, but thought I did a good job. I played really well today”, said Tiafoe.
