Delray Beach Open, USA

Men’s Final: [64] Peter Gojowczyk (GER) vs. [91] Frances Tiafoe (USA)

One was going for his second title and the other was hoping to win his first, who was more nervous?  The German, who was the veteran and more experienced player, was expected to win; however, he was probably the more nervous. Tiafoe has been talked about for a long time now and in 2016 he said “Big Foe was on the come-up”; however, now he can change that to “Big Foe has arrived”.

Late in the first set Gojowczyk was seen by the trainer and had his left thigh taped. It seemed to rejuvenate him and he held his first service game of the set to force the American to serve it out. Tiafoe did not falter and calmly served it out. The real test of his mental fortitude came in the second set. Now one set closer to his first title, Tiafoe began to demonstrate the negative effects of pressure.

They both held their first service games. Tiafoe broke early to take the lead and what should have been control of the match; however, the young American faltered. He made a string of double faults and was broken for the first time to give the break right back to the German. Yet, Gojowczyk could not hold on to the momentum and was promptly broken, perhaps distracted by his injury.

Once Tiafoe regained control of the set, he held on with tenacity to gain the straight sets victory. Although his opponent was injured, Tiafoe still had to win the match. He served well and introduced quite a few finesse shots to win 6-1, 6-4 and secure his first ATP World Tour title. Winning that first title is a very special moment that every tennis player hopes to experience, it validates all the sacrifice and energy expended.

CONGRATULATIONS to Frances Tiafoe (big Foe).

SOURCE OF IMAGE:  Michael Dodge/Getty Images-Frances Tiafoe