Tiafoe Sets Up All-American Clash At Indian Wells
Indian Wells
October 8, 2021
Frances Tiafoe will play his fellow American Sebastian Korda in the next round at Indian Wells.
Both players are starting to look like the real deal, so it will be fascinating to see who comes out on top.
We expect Tiafoe and Korda to make a big impact at Wimbledon 2022.
Korda reached the fourth round there this year and showed plenty of promise.
Tiafoe could be an even bigger threat next year after getting to round three this summer.
The All England Club has always adored the Americans and most recently took young Coco Gauff to their hearts.
From John McEnroe to Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, Wimbledon has always brought something special out in American men.
Who will be the next great champion from across the pond?
Tiafoe will take confidence from his 6-4, 6-4 victory over Frenchman Benoit Paire on Thursday evening at Indian Wells.
It’s always good to get back in the groove after a break and his journey to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows showed his talent.
Tiafoe explained: ‘I definitely took a long time off after the US Open, the longest time I’ve taken in the middle of the season in a while…happy to just get a first round under my belt.’
Korda will be no pushover in the next round. Tiafoe needed three sets to beat him in their only previous meeting in the 2018 New York Open. Korda was only seventeen back then.
Now these young guns are 23 and 21 respectively with sparkling futures ahead of them.
Another rising star hoping to make a fresh impact in the USA is Emma Raducanu.
The US Open winner has been receiving all kinds of advice from fellow players.
Bianca Andreescu suggested that Raducanu should stay humble. Iga Swiatek stressed the importance of having good people around her. Coco Gauff simply advised Emma to stay away from her phone and social media as much as possible!
All these players had valid points. And after the celebrity circus that followed her miraculous Flushing Meadows triumph, Raducanu will relish the chance to get back to what she does best – playing tennis.
Emma plays Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round tonight and will try to come out with all guns blazing once more.
She may discover life isn’t quite so easy when you are one of the favourites. But that is yet another challenge she will meet with typical enthusiasm.
Meanwhile Andy Murray has provided an interesting subplot before he opens up with a tricky clash against the talented Adrian Mannarino.
Murray managed to lose his tennis shoes and more importantly his wedding ring 48 hours ago.
His supporters despaired on his behalf as he sent out an SOS to help recover his precious items.
That little story had a happy ending when he paraded both tennis shoes and wedding ring on social media last night.
He need no longer worry about the reception he might have received when he returns home.
Andy and Emma can both focus on their tennis again at long last.
We can’t wait to see Raducanu and Murray at Wimbledon 2022!
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