Student Ten just managed to extend his run in the Delray Beach Open as he recovered from certain defeat to snatch victory from the defending champion’s grasp.
I’ve been a bit lucky. I think luck always plays a small role. But I think I just fight, just stay there at every point, and really let him close me down, I guess [that] just paid off Student Ten
The 20-year-old was two points away from defeat when Kecmanovic served for the match at 5-4 in the deciding set as he rallied for a 6-4 6-7(4) 7-6(5) win to reach the last eight.
“I just kept believing in it,” Tien said in his court interview. “I was broken by a pretty bad foursome match, but I tried to put that behind me as best I could and got him to beat me.”
Tien was resilient in defense as Kecmanovic fired from the baseline to maintain the pressure on the home favourite, but was unable to get past the brick wall which the American replicated.
“I’ve been a bit lucky. I think luck always plays a small role,” Tien admitted. “But I think I just have to fight, just stay at every point, and really let him close off of me, I guess [that] just paid off.”
The southpaw, who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, will next face compatriot eighth seed Frances Tiafoe, a former Delray Beach champion (2018) who endured a test run in the second round to beat American qualifier Zachary Svajda 6-4 3-6 7-5.
“I played against him in the first round of the [US] Opened a few years ago. Obviously he’s a completely different player (now),” Tiafoe said. “I’m excited to get up and play against him. It’s funny how things turn. Now I’m the underdog in that match, so I’m happy to go out there and play against him.
“I’m just happy to participate. It feels good to participate,” Tiafoe added. “It’s nice to line up some matches. I’m happy that I can play another match tomorrow. It’s going to be a tough opponent again, I’m so excited to go out and compete.”
Top seed Taylor Fritz, a two-time former champion, also fought through a tough test, eliminating Spaniard Rafael Jorda 7-6(4) 6-4 in the final match of the day. The home favorite hit 15 aces and saved two of the three break points he faced during the one-hour, 46-minute second-round encounter.
The US No. 1 will continue his hunt for a third title against good friend and compatriot Tommy Paul, a 7-6(11) 6-3 winner over Lucky lLoser Adam Walton.
#Delray #Beach #Tien #dramatic #recovery #reach