Frances Tiafoe’s resurgence has been a welcome sight for tennis fans. After a disappointing start to the 2024 season, the American has rediscovered his form, winning eight of his last 12 matches.
Tiafoe’s most impressive victory came against Lorenzo Musetti in the Cincinnati Open, where he cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win. This followed a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6 (3) triumph over Andrey Rublev in Washington, D.C. and a competitive five-set loss to eventual Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Tiafoe’s recent performances have showcased his return to Top 10 form. His ability to hit his spots on serve and finish points at the net has made him a formidable opponent.
In the Cincinnati Open round of 16, Tiafoe will face Jiri Lehecka, who is coming off a surprising victory over Daniil Medvedev. However, Lehecka’s recent form has been inconsistent, and he has struggled with a back injury.
Lehecka’s serve is his biggest weapon, but he has been struggling to find consistency. Against Medvedev, he made only 62.7% of his first serves, well below his season average of 63.9%.
Tiafoe’s ability to return serve effectively and engage in longer rallies should give him an advantage over Lehecka. The American is in good form and has a strong track record on North American hard courts.
Based on these factors, Tiafoe is the favorite to win this match. His recent performances have shown that he is back to his best, while Lehecka is still finding his feet after an injury layoff.
