Frances Tiafoe advances to third round at US Open with straight-sets win over Sebastian Ofner… and says he thinks it’s time for an American man to win the event for the first time since 2003

Frances Tiafoe picked up a straight-sets victory over Austrian Sebastian Ofner at the US Open (6-3 6-1 6-4) to advance to the third round of the men’s tournament, which has not seen an American winner in 20 years.

Tiafoe is part of a group of American men in their 20s who have steadily moved up the rankings and are beginning to show signs of major championship threats. Twenty years ago Andy Roddick was the last man from the country to win a Grand Slam trophy at the US Open.

Two other American men who joined Tiafoe in the third round with wins were No. 14 Tommy Paul, an Australian Open semifinalist in January, who mustered his first career comeback after trailing two sets and Roman Safiullin 3–6, defeated 2-6, 6-2. , 6-4, 6-3, and Ben Shelton, who advanced when 2020 champion Dominic Thiem retired in the second set after a visit from a physiotherapist. No. No. 28 Chris Eubanks lost to France’s Benjamin Bonzi in four sets, while No. 9 Taylor Fritz came on later.

“We all grew up together. We know each other so well. American tennis is in a great place,” Tiafoe said. “Hopefully we’ll continue and hopefully end that streak.”

His victory was followed in Ashe by a meeting between two women who have won major titles: two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, who recently retired.

Sebastian Ofner of Austria congratulates opponent Frances Tiafoe on the victory

You couldn’t help feeling that tenth-placed Tiafoe was having the time of his life. This is where he wants to be, regardless of the details of the match. Under the lights of a Grand Slam tournament, grab the attention of thousands of people in the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium and return the love as you pass Ofner in just over an hour and a half.

‘I love it. I love it. I love everything. I like the 1-on-1 battle. You put your heart on the line. Everyone is there to watch out for you and another man. You compete like crazy. Everyone is looking forward to the match. And it’s like, “Who else wants it?” That’s what Tiafoe, a 25-year-old from Maryland, said during an interview for the US Open. If you don’t like that, it’s the wrong sport for you. I just love being in those positions and in those atmospheres.”

He knew this was Ofner’s US Open debut and said after Wednesday’s encounter that he wanted to “use the environment to my advantage.”

A year ago, Tiafoe’s career changed in Flushing Meadows, and so did his life. He defeated Rafael Nadal in the fourth round en route to reaching the semifinals of a major for the first time, then pushed eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz to his limits before dropping out.

Rapper Pusha T attends the second round match between Frances Tiafoe and Sebastian Ofner

The fans – including some well-known ones, such as former first lady Michelle Obama and NBA All-Star Bradley Beal – showered Tiafoe with affection. And he certainly enjoyed basking in that admiration and the extra attention his higher profile brought, including a role in the Netflix tennis docuseries, “Break Point.”

“I think it’s totally cool to put myself completely in the foreground and see what happens. Drop the chips where they can. I love to feel the crowd with me. Everyone paid their hard-earned money to come and watch. So I want them to enjoy it,” Tiafoe said. “And I want to win too.”

Next up for Tiafoe is No. 22 Adrian Mannarino of France, who produced a wild on-the-run tweener during his win on Wednesday.

‘He is very difficult. He has an unorthodox style of play,” Tiafoe said. ‘I’m ready. I’m ready for him.’