Frances Tiafoe is in a tough spot right now, and it’s hard to see him getting out of it anytime soon…
The American star last won a match at the US Open, where he reached the third round, eventually losing to Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets.
Since then, Tiafoe lost two singles matches at the Davis Cup and his first-round match at the Japan Open.
Looking to snap his four-match losing streak, Tiafoe headed over to China for the Shanghai Masters.
Unfortunately for Tiafoe, it wasn’t to be, as he lost to Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann 7-6, 2-6, 1-6.
As the 27-year-old continues to struggle for form on the ATP Tour, he may well already be regretting some of the comments he made just weeks ago.
Frances Tiafoe was asking ‘Who’s the third guy?’ to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
During a recent interview, Tiafoe shared his thoughts on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and their dominance in men’s tennis.
“There are a couple more guys who have got to join them. I’m not saying beat them, but there’s got to be [other] guys – and that motivates me,” said Tiafoe.
“I’m like, yo, who’s that third guy? Who’s that fourth guy?”
Having now lost five consecutive matches, it’s tough to imagine Tiafoe being the ‘third guy’ or the ‘fourth guy’.
Frances Tiafoe’s losing streak
- 1. 2025 US Open 3R [LOSS] vs Jan-Lennard Struff
- 2. Davis Cup [LOSS] vs Jiri Lehecka
- 3. Davis Cup [LOSS] vs Jakub Mensik
- 4. Japan Open 1R [LOSS] vs Marton Fucsovics
- 5. Shanghai Masters 2R [LOSS] vs Yannick Hanfmann
Tiafoe shouldn’t be criticised for showing ambition, however, as wanting to beat the world number one and two is no doubt a goal of most players on tour.
The two-time Grand Slam semifinalist clearly has a long way to go before he can truly challenge the Italian and Spaniard, but how has he performed against the pair so far in his career?
Frances Tiafoe’s head-to-head record against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
In total, Tiafoe has played eight professional matches against the two best players in the world.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2024 Cincinnati Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Frances Tiafoe | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2024 Wimbledon – 3R | Carlos Alcaraz | Frances Tiafoe | 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2023 Vienna Open – QF | Jannik Sinner | Frances Tiafoe | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2022 US Open – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Frances Tiafoe | 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2021 Vienna Open – SF | Frances Tiafoe | Jannik Sinner | 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 |
| 2021 Barcelona Open – 1R | Frances Tiafoe | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2019 Next Gen Finals – RR | Jannik Sinner | Frances Tiafoe | 3-4, 4-2, 4-2, 4-2 |
| 2019 European Open – QF | Jannik Sinner | Frances Tiafoe | 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 |
Despite holding wins over both players, Tiafoe has a losing record against Sinner and Alcaraz.
- Frances Tiafoe (1-2) Carlos Alcaraz
- Frances Tiafoe (1-4) Jannik Sinner
Tiafoe last beat either player, 1,434 days ago, in the semifinals of the Vienna Open.
Looking to secure his place in the final, the American produced one of the finest performances of his career against the future world number one.
In three sets, Tiafoe outlasted Sinner 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, advancing to the final where he lost to Alexander Zverev.
Earlier in the year, Tiafoe had played Alcaraz for the first time, at the youngster’s home tournament, the Barcelona Open.
Securing the win in straight sets, Tiafoe took the lead in their head-to-head, 1-0.
Things may not be looking quite so positive now, with the overall head-to-head standing at 2-6 against the pair, and having lost five matches in a row, although those wins should provide the 27-year-old with some comfort and confidence as he looks ahead to the future.
Looking to finish his 2025 campaign on a high, Tiafoe is pencilled in to play at least three more events before the end of the year.
- European Open (ATP 250)
- Vienna Open (ATP 500)
- Paris Masters (Masters 1000)
He will first head over to Brussels, Belgium, for the European Open, which begins on Monday, October 13.
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