Frances Tiafoe explains why he now finds it ‘easier’ to play at the French Open compared to the US Open

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Frances Tiafoe continued his impressive French Open campaign in the third round, defeating compatriot Sebastian Korda, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Tiafoe is yet to drop a set in Paris, having earned comfortable victories against Roman Safiullin, Pablo Carreño Busta, and Korda.

American men have improved on the clay courts of Roland Garros this year, as Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton also march on at the tournament.

Men’s players from the US have struggled at the French Open for decades, with the last champion from the country coming in 1999, when Andre Agassi held the trophy aloft on Court Philippe Chatrier.

However, Tiafoe feels that despite the lack of success from his countrymen in recent years, it’s easier to play in the French capital than it is in front of a home crowd at the US Open.

Frances Tiafoe says why he finds it easier to play at the French Open than the US Open

Comparing the French Open to his home Grand Slam, Tiafoe said: “It’s just a different vibe. It’s more of a low-key kind of thing. At the [US] Open, there is just so much anticipation, there is so much energy.

“Here, I feel like it’s just a workman type vibe. There are still a lot of people, and it’s the French Open and a major, but there is nothing like the [US] Open. The [US] Open is a whole different kind of beast.”

“Obviously, I have expectations from you all being at the Open, being American, I have been at two semis, and made history. But this is a different vibe.

“This is easier in a sense because I can just go and be me. There it’s like ‘you have got Ben, are you going to be the next guy to do it?’ It’s different.

“Rather than here after a win, it’s like ‘does it feel good to be in the fourth round?’. I’m like I’ll take those questions!”

Three Americans will feature in the round of 16 at Roland Garros for the first time since 1995

For the first time in 30 years, three Americans will play in the fourth round of the French Open, as Tiafoe, Paul, and Shelton are confirmed for the round of 16.

The last time three players from the US achieved the feat was in 1995, when Jim Courier, Michael Chang, and Agassi reached the fourth stage of the tournament.

Tiafoe’s next opponent comes in the form of Daniel Altmaier, while Paul will face off against Alexei Popyrin.

Shelton will meet Carlos Alcaraz for the third time in his career in the fourth round, and will have to best the defending champion en route to a maiden Grand Slam title.