Frances Tiafoe can take plenty of heart from what was a revolutionary week, as the American turned what has been a really tough season into a run to the final of the Cincinnati Open.
However, facing Jannik Sinner was always going to pose a daunting task, and when he lost that first-set tiebreak, it kind of felt like that was that.
After all, the 26-year-old had given his all to remain at the same level as the world number one, so to lose the entire set in such a fashion likely would have left him crushed.
Realistically, was he to have any chance of winning this title, he had to win that opening set.
Alas, he did not, and a runners-up medal will have to do for the American.
Fortunately, this return to form has come at the perfect time though, with the US Open just around the corner now.
Frances Tiafoe sends message to fans after Cincinnati Open final
Frances Tiafoe had been enduring a pretty awful season leading up to the Cincinnati Open, and even he himself would have admitted that going into this American leg of the tennis tour.
In fact, even in the competition directly before it in Montreal, a first-round exit to Alejandro Tabilo marked one of many he has endured throughout 2024.
Speaking to the crowd immediately after his defeat last night, delivering his on-court interview, the 2022 US Open semi-finalist sought to send a message to those who have stuck by him throughout this torrid run of form, ensuring them that things were now on the up.
He claimed: ‘Yeah I’ve been struggling for a really long time so to have a week like this means a lot. You guys know how tough it’s been for me for a while so to have a week like this is great. Positive strides, especially going into New York. Let’s stay with it man, let’s stay with it.’
Tiafoe broke a 27-year American record to reach this final, so deserves plenty of credit despite the loss.
Frances Tiafoe has turned his season around ahead of US Open
Tiafoe really needs a strong run at the US Open this year, especially after his performances in the other three Grand Slams leading up to it.
Not only that, but he is defending quarter-final points, having lost to Ben Shelton at that stage last year.
Kickstarting 2024 at the Australian Open, few likely could have predicted that a straight-sets second-round exit would be a sign of things to come for Tiafoe, especially after he had doubled his all-time titles tally during the year prior.
But, such misery was to persist throughout the campaign, exiting early in Madrid, Rome, Miami and Indian Wells before another second-round exit came at Roland Garros.
Admittedly, the manner of his Wimbledon exit was far more spirited, but he still departed in just the third round despite taking Carlos Alcaraz, the eventual winner of the competition, to five sets.
Now, with his home Grand Slam just on the horizon, he has the perfect chance to channel all the unrest from this campaign and turn it into something really notable in New York.
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