MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: Frances Tiafoe of United States returns a shot to Juan Manuel Cerúndolo of Argentina during the 2022 Miami Open presented by Itaú at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
The in-form Frances Tiafoe locks horns with world No. 80 Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the round of 16 of the Japan Open on Thursday.
The American tennis pro has managed to pull off some impressive results this season, especially in the second half. Tiafoe impressed everyone with a dominant showing at the US Open. He defeated the legendary Rafael Nadal in the third round and made it to his first semifinal at a major event where he lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
The 24-year-old came to Japan after a solid come-from-behind victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Laver Cup. Tiafoe played a vital role for Team World during their triumphant run at the fifth edition of the tournament. In the round of 32 of the Japan Open, Tiafoe made light work of Japan’s Yasutaka Uchiyama. The fourth seed won the match 6-3, 6-4.
The standout moment for the Spaniard this season came at the French Open, where he made it to the round of 16 with wins against the likes of Taylor Fritz and John Isner among others. The 25-year-old played in the recently-concluded Sofia Open. However, his run did not last long as he lost to Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 32 in straight sets.
In the first round of the Japan Open, Miralles defeated Japan’s Taro Daniel in a closely-contested two-set encounter. The scoreline was 7-5, 7-5 in favor of the Spaniard.
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 0-0 as Frances Tiafoe and Bernabe Zapata Miralles are yet to cross paths.
Prediction: Frances Tiafoe to win in straight sets.
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