TennisNH

Tiafoe Needs 7 MPs To Edge Jarry In Santiago

09-Mar-2021 01:42:00 | ATP World Tour

Fifth seed Frances Tiafoe dodged a major challenge at the Chile Dove Men+Care Open as he needed three tie-breaks to put away wild card Nicolas Jarry 7-6(7), 6-7(9), 7-6(7) in the first round on Monday. 

In an early test that clocked in at nearly three hours (2 hr, 52 min), Tiafoe and Jarry combined for 42 aces in a high-quality server’s battle. The American improved to 2-2 in deciding sets for 2021 as he claimed his second-ever main draw victory on South American clay. 

“Obviously due to crazy times, [we weren’t] able to have the big crowd here tonight [supporting Jarry], but I hope everyone who was here enjoyed it,” Tiafoe said in an on-court interview. “Me and Nico are great friends. I like him a lot, and I’m happy to see him back. 

“With performances like this, the way he served and everything, I can see him getting back to where he was…” 

There were no breaks of serve in the opening two sets of Tiafoe and Jarry’s second ATP Head2Head clash, and only one break point on offer during that stretch. Tiafoe couldn’t put distance between him and his opponent, a former World No. 38 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.  

The American had to deal with every shot in the big-serving Chilean’s arsenal, including a punishing body serve that clipped him in the shoulder at 5-5 in the first set. Jarry saved four match points in the second set with bold deliveries, including a kick-serve on second serve at 3/6 and a powerful body serve that left the American swinging at 5/6.

With the players deadlocked in the third set at a break apiece and emotions running high, it was Tiafoe who was able to refocus as he converted his seventh match point to seal the match. Tiafoe tallied 13 aces and won 80 per cent of points behind his first serve on his way to victory.