By Richard Pagliaro Monday, March 23, 2026
Image source: lululemon
The third set decider was a pressure cooker for tennis.
Frances Tiafoe Withstood the pressure and achieved the most exciting victory of the season.
Tiafoe saved two match points in the decider before being eliminated on the seventh. Miami Open champion Jakub Mencic Today, in front of a festive crowd in the Miami stands, the match ended with a score of 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(11).
The determined Tiafoe reached the last 16 of the Miami Open for the fifth time in his career.
On his seventh match point, Tiafoe narrowly missed an ace on the T stage.
Tiafoe kicked his second serve out of bounds, but Mensik’s backhand return missed.
Tiafoe won 7 match points in the 2 hours and 51 minutes of the match and only had one break of serve.
It was a landmark moment for Tiafoe, who earned his 250th career Tour-level win (250-220 lifetime), joining Taylor Fritz (349) as the only active American men’s players with 250 or more wins.
This marks the first time since 1996 that five American men have advanced to the Round of 16 in Miami: Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda, Tyler Fritz, Tommy Paul and Alex Michelson.
Tiafoe, the 19th seed, avenged her 1-6, 4-6 loss to Mencic in the Davis Cup qualifiers at Delray Beach last September. Tiafoe to face French left-hander Terrence Altman Compete for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Atman surprises with quick serve Seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.
Atmane, 24, improves to 3-5 against top-10 opponents.
In the decider, Tiafoe led 9-10 on the second match point and fought hard to win the match with a 25-shot to tie the decider at 10.
Mencic hit his 22nd ace on the T-stage to save the sixth match point.
After taking the court, Tiafoe won the seventh match point with a diagonal forehand winner.
Tiafoe blocked the ball with an audacious second kick deep in the box.
