Frances Tiafoe, the top seed at the Dallas Open, demonstrated his prowess with a convincing 6-4, 6-3 victory over fellow American Alex Michelsen, securing a coveted spot in the quarterfinals. Tiafoe, who achieved a Top 10 ranking in the ATP standings last year, showcased an impressive all-court performance to overcome Michelsen’s tricky baseline game.
In a remarkable display of skill, Frances Tiafoe even executed a backhand drop volley with such precision and backspin that it bounced back to his side of the court, earning applause from the audience. Expressing his delight in the on-court interview, Tiafoe said, “It was incredible. You guys enjoyed yourself, I enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun. I love this city, I have a tonne of fun here. You guys showed me a lot of love tonight, so I appreciate it.”
According to ATP Stats, Tiafoe excelled in his return game, winning 52% of his return points and converting five out of eight break points. His next challenge awaits in the form of a matchup with fellow countryman Marcos Giron, where Tiafoe holds a 3-1 ATP Head-to-Head advantage.
In parallel action, seventh seed Jordan Thompson had a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory over lucky loser Denis Kudla, setting the stage for a quarterfinal showdown against the third seed, Ben Shelton. Thompson, aiming to thwart Shelton’s big-serving game, is geared up for an exciting clash at the Dallas Open.
Meanwhile, German lefty Dominik Koepfer secured his advancement with a 6-3, 7-6(5) win over Australian Rinky Hijikata. Koepfer is now set to face off against second seed Tommy Paul in what promises to be another thrilling quarterfinal encounter.
