It was around midnight in Paris when Frances Tiafoe and Jaime Faria found themselves squaring off at the net during the final set of their third-round French Open clash. Faria had taken a two-set lead against the American, but Tiafoe wrestled his way back into the contest to force a decider.
It was in the fifth set that Tiafoe began exerting his control, but midway through the decider, things started to get heated. Tiafoe had believed Faria’s serve was out, but the umpire and Hawk-Eye concluded that it was in fact in.
Tiafoe, not one to keep his thoughts to himself, began letting Faria what he thought of him. He said: “Don’t act like you’re tough. You’re not hard. Just play.”
Turning to the umpire, Faria replied: You see what he’s saying?” By this point the umpire was clambering down from the chair and had to intervene.
The spat continued for a minute or so, before both players returned to their half of the court to continue the match. It would be a triumphant ending for Tiafoe, who secured the win to book his spot in the fourth round of the French Open for only the second time in his career.
Reflecting on his achievement post-match, the world No.22 said: “Unbelievable getting through. Second time in my career I’ve came back from two sets to love down. Definitely probably biggest time I’ll ever do, considering, right? Obvious why I say that.
“Couldn’t be happier, man. Couldn’t be happier. Yeah, it’s a test for all the technical work I’ve put in. You know, I go back to the moments like that. I’m happy it paid off.”
Before adding: “I came out tight as hell today. God. It’s the reality, man. It’s fun to be a part of, man. I was telling some of my homies, it’s fun to be a part of, man. You’re a part of history, however you want to look at it, right. Whether you get it done or not, you’re part of history, and it’s fun to be a part of. And obviously it’s always fun to be a part of history.
“But yeah, man, it’s pretty cool to see guys really put it on the line, everybody. Absolutely just give it all you got. That’s the best thing about sports, right? See two guys go absolutely at it and see what happens.”