Frances Tiafoe credits his recent success to his improved serve
American Frances Tiafoe is a lot more confident since winning his first title at Delray Beach a few weeks ago. The 20-year-old says improving his serving and his play in the big moments of a match has led to his recent run.
Two days ago at the Miami Open, he edged Kyle Edmund 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (5).
“It's huge. It's everything,” the No. 63 Tiafoe said. “Delray taught me a lot. I beat some quality players back-to-back-to-back, which I've never done. I've played so many matches in my career so far where I played unbelievable, came up just short. Now I'm feeling really comfortable when it gets tight. I actually embrace it, I want it. It's fun for me. I'm just trying to ride this wave as long as I can.”
Tiafoe wins his first career title in Delray Beach Open:
Tiafoe will next face 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych.
Tiafoe says that his serving was pretty lousy in 2017, but following a first-round defeat against Juan Martin del Potro during the Australian Open, he went home and worked on it. He now says it's "probably the best I ever served."
“Yeah, serve was terrible,” Tiafoe said. “Done a lot of work on it. Yeah, you know, did some tweaks on it in the off-season. I felt I was serving terrible in Australia. Before the New York 250, I tweaked it again. Feeling good since. I've been staying on it.”
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