(CNN)Swiss legend Roger Federer survived an early scare against American Frances Tiafoe at Arthur Ashe Stadium late Tuesday before bouncing back to win 4-6 6-2 6-1 1-6 6-4.
The 19-year-old disrupted the natural order by winning the first set of their opening-round clash before doubling to win the fourth. But ultimately, Federer’s skill and experience won out over the course of the two-hour, 37-minute encounter.
The teenage Tiafoe playing with confidence Five-set loss despite being outplayed by world No. 3 has only progressed past the first round of a slam twice.
He showed signs of coming back by winning the fourth set and breaking Federer’s serve to take a 3-1 lead but it was too little, too late for the American.
The Maryland native’s first set win was an improvement from the only other time the two met on court when he pushed Federer to a first-set tiebreak at the Miami Open in March.
Federer’s victory fuels expectations that he will meet his old rival Rafael Nadal on the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The two are set for a semi-final after the Spaniard sent off Dusan Lajovic 7-6 (8-6), 6-2, 6-2 in his opening game.
While Federer avoided an ignominious early exit, there was a big upset on day two when defending women’s champion Angelique Kerber was sacked in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 by Japan’s Naomi Osaka. It is only the third time a defending champion has exited the US Open in the first round.
The late-night crowd grew louder as the game progressed, cheering the young American as he snatched points from Federer. He broke Federer’s serve late in the fifth set to thunderous applause, denying him a match winner.
But it wasn’t to be, although he’ll be pursuing a career as a result of this hard-fought game.
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Teen sensation
Reportedly a quiet, thoughtful teenager, Tiafoe credits much of his development to his father, Constant Tiafoe, an immigrant from Sierra Leone.
The elder Tiafoe helped establish and later became the administrator of the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland, where Frances has trained since childhood.
While he was working around the clock, his father was forced to move into an empty storage room at the tennis center, where his two boys lived with him and slept on a massage table while their mother worked night shifts as a nurse.
“Obviously I wasn’t the wealthy kid or didn’t have all the new stuff or whatever. But I just lived life. I could play tennis for free, the sport I loved,” he told CNN in 2015.
At just 15 years old, Tiafoe won the prestigious Orange Bowl and became the youngest boys’ singles champion in the history of the tournament – a remarkable achievement considering the list of past champions that has included Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.
While many young prodigies have come and gone, Tiafoe’s unique background and work ethic set him apart from the rest. He said of his parents: “Since they tried so hard, I felt like I didn’t want to let them down. I felt like I didn’t want to take the possibilities for granted.”
Tiafoe turned pro in 2015 and became the first tennis player to sign with Jay Z’s agency Roc Nation Sports.
“Obviously, Jay Z definitely caught my eye,” Tiafoe told the New York Times in 2015. “I thought it was pretty cool that he wanted me on the team.”
The USA has not produced a men’s singles champion at the majors since Andy Roddick in 2003, and many fans and sportswriters are hoping young Tiafoe can build on his remarkable five-set loss to take the title.
“What a night for Tiafoe. Faces a legend, huge crowd, plays so well, heart, guts, comeback, everything. Great show,” the Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay tweeted.
“Hopefully that[loss]drives him on,” added USA Today’s Dan Wolken. “America needs a tennis star.”
“More than an exam”
Federer praised his opponent’s game and admitted that Tiafoe caused him trouble.
“It was more than a test, it was a good one. I think we both enjoyed ourselves out here… I’m very happy with the game, it was exciting and that’s why I came to New York to experience those emotions too.
“He’s a great player and he has a great future ahead of him. The fifth (set) is a coin toss and it went my way.”
Federer cited issues that had troubled him in recent weeks and said he was happy to come through his opening game unscathed.
“To get through a fiver you have to be kinda okay.”
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The Swiss’ appearance at Flushing Meadows was his first major appearance since winning the trophy at Wimbledon in July.
Losing the first set to the unpopular Tiafoe, who is ranked No. 70 in the world, meant he had lost more sets in his first hour on the court at the US Open than during his entire tournament at Wimbledon. He has not lost a set-all tournament at the All England Club this year – the first man to do so since Bjorn Borg in 1976.
That win earned the Swiss an eighth Wimbledon singles title and his 19th major title overall. He wants to win the US Open for the first time since 2008.
“It would be a joke if I won three Slams out of nowhere this year,” Federer said in July, looking at Flushing Meadows.
“I know if I stay in shape I have chances to do well at the US Open, but to win it? Yes, at some point I almost feel like I have to be realistic.”
Every time the Swiss has won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in a single season, he also won the US Open trophy (2004, 2006 and 2007).
“I will definitely try to organize, prepare and prepare myself so that I have the best chance of doing well at the US Open,” said Federer.
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CNN’s Will Edmonds contributed to the coverage.
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