Francis Tiafoe and New York Metropolis sports activities followers fell in love through the U.S. Open. However just like the New York Knicks, Tiafoe ran out of fuel earlier than the finals.
Taylor Fritz defeated Tiafoe Friday evening in an all-American U.S. Open semifinal. Tiafoe took two of the primary three units, however faltered, dropping the fourth set and dropping all his service video games in a 6-1 final-set drubbing.
Tiafoe, who was ranked No. 20 going into the event, received the hearts of the NYC crowd by sporting Knicks jerseys earlier than every of his matches. Final week, he wore a Jalen Brunson jersey to his match within the spherical of 64, calling him “the person.”
Later he sported the jerseys of Julius Randle, and earlier than the semifinal, Carmelo Anthony, who like Tiafoe is from Maryland.
However just like the injury-riddled Knicks, who misplaced within the second spherical of the NBA playoffs to the Indiana Pacers, Tiafoe wore down. Fritz acquired a slight edge in a fourth set filled with lengthy rallies, then broke Tiafoe’s serve to even the match. Tiafoe didn’t win a service recreation the remainder of the best way.
Maybe Tiafoe was emulating his favourite basketball group an excessive amount of, or maybe he wants to begin coaching with Josh Hart. Or maybe, just like the Knicks, the 26-year-old Tiafoe is simply getting into his prime as a title contender. He’s additionally now a rival of Australian Nick Kyrgios, a die-hard fan of the Boston Celtics. Kyrgios, working as a commentator as he recovers from accidents, took a tongue-in-cheek shot at Tiafoe’s jersey decisions.
Tiafoe might have fallen brief, however that solely makes him extra relatable to New York sports activities followers, who haven’t had a serious sports activities championship in a dozen years. The Knicks and Tiafoe each have a vibrant future, even when they haven’t proved they will win the massive one but.