Frances Tiafoe secured the first two points on offer at the Laver Cup Berlin 2024 on Saturday, beating Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 6-4, 10-5 to give Team World a 4-2 lead.
The American needed an hour and 35 minutes to defeat the world number five on the legendary black court of the Uber Arena. “It was crazy, I played pretty well in the second set,” said Tiafoe. “Honestly, I just enjoyed it,” he added. “I started to find my rhythm… halfway through the second (set) and in the tiebreak, I honestly felt like Roger Federer,” joked Tiafoe, who smiled at the 20-time Grand Slam champion in the stands.
“I respect everyone, but right now I’m just not afraid of anyone,” said Tiafoe, who almost beat Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon this year.
“When I’m having fun, I’m dangerous, and that’s what I’m doing right now.”
Tiafoe, who won his first victory over Medvedev in his sixth attempt, created the first chance in the fourth game but missed a backhand volley on a break point, allowing his higher-ranked opponent to equalise at 2-2.
In the very next game, the 28-year-old Medvedev created two break point chances himself and converted the first by passing Tiafoe down the line with a sensational backhand.
The duo wowed fans with brilliant shots that drew applause, whistles and collective gasps, and scored plenty of points from the baseline, with Tiafoe regularly successful at the net, where he scored 28 of his 68 points.
Serving at 3-5, Tiafoe fended off two set points before missing a forehand and giving Medvedev the first set.
In the set tiebreak, Team World players crowded around Tiafoe to cheer and motivate their teammate. Refreshed, the American hit the ground running, breaking Medvedev in the opening game and then extending his lead to 2-0. Tiafoe soon had a break point to lead 4-1, but was denied when Medvedev delivered a crisp backhand volley that left the American wide-eyed. Tiafoe stayed focused, closed out the set and forced a decisive 10-point Laver breaker.
Although the American secured a mini-break early on, Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, was able to get the ball back, but Tiafoe landed a huge forehand down the line to extend his lead to 7-4. A huge cross-court forehand return winner from the American put the game on his racket at 8-5 and without being asked twice, he secured the next two points and the win.
Tiafoe, who is taking part in the Laver Cup for the fifth time, said in an interview earlier this week that he has developed a strong bond with Team World captain John McEnroe.
“He’s a big fan of mine, he wants me to do well, he really wants me to get over the hump,” the American said. “He gives his opinion on how to move forward, loves it when everyone plays serve-and-volley,” Tiafoe said.
The right-hander said his best moment at the Laver Cup so far was winning the title for the first time in London 2022. The tournament gave him the best memory of his career: meeting Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in doubles.
“When I saw him leave the game that night and experienced all the emotions of all those greats, there were four of the best players of all time,” he said.
The American was just one set away from his first Grand Slam final earlier this month and believes he can break through to win his first major title as the top seed in his age group – which also includes Team World teammates Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, as well as Tommy Paul and Sebastian Korda.
“I’m not afraid to say it. This is what I want to do,” Tiafoe said. “Why not me?”
“I really thought this was mine,” he added, recalling the grueling five-set US Open semifinal against Fritz, acknowledging that “ups and downs” were to be expected.
“It’s all about how you look at the glass,” said the optimistic right-hander. “I’m back to 16th in the world rankings, I think my best days are still ahead of me and (if) I keep putting myself in that position, I’ll make it.”
