Frances Tiafoe upsets Daniil Medvedev: ‘I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly’ | ATP Tour

Laver Cup

Tiafoe upsets Medvedev: ‘I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly’

Alcaraz and Shelton meeting in second match of the day

September 21, 2024

Frances Tiafoe caught such fire on Saturday in Berlin that he felt like he was Roger Federer.

That form helped the Team World player rally past Team Europe’s Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 6-4, 10-5 to give his side a 4-2 lead in Berlin.

“Honestly I just started having fun. Laughing with my team, laughing with my team over there and here. Just having a bit of fun and started really finding my rhythm,” Tiafoe said. “The courts are obviously much slower than I’m used to playing on, so it’s tough playing Daniil on this court. But after the second set, midway into the second and in the tie-break, I felt like I was Roger Federer, honestly.”

Team World back on top 🔴@FTiafoe with an impressive 3-6 6-4 [10-5] victory over Medvedev.@LaverCup | #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/ZeRI2ycna8

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 21, 2024

Federer, who was in the crowd, gave on-court reporter Mark Petchey a double thumb’s up when asked about Tiafoe’s comment. The American is playing some of the best tennis of his career, having just reached the US Open semi-finals for the first time after making the final in Cincinnati.

Tiafoe entered the match facing a 0-5 Lexus ATP Head2Head deficit against Medvedev, but did not let that intimidate him. He played freely in the critical moments and had a blast on court even when losing points. After one Medvedev shot drew Tiafoe to his side of the court, the American did his signature sprinkling celebration to compliment his opponent.

“I just have a lot more confidence in myself. I’m having a lot of fun playing the game at the moment,” Tiafoe said. “I’m just trying to play the right way and compete as hard as I can, let the chips fall where they may. I respect everyone, but I’m just not fearing anyone at the moment. I’m just going out there, taking it to guys and seeing what happens.”

Team Europe’s Carlos Alcaraz and Team World’s Ben Shelton are now meeting in the second match of the day.