It went a dispiriting 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 to Grigor Dimitrov, who as a former Wimbledon semifinalist and world No. 3 is no slouch. But it was less the opponent than the manner of Tiafoe’s loss that stung.
Yet Sunday, in the wake of a surprisingly one-sided 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 loss to the 32-year-old Grigor Dimitrov, the 25-year-old from Maryland was bereft after his third consecutive third-round loss at a Grand Slam.
Pegula knows of which she speaks. The No. 4 women’s player in the world and top-ranked American has spent much of her career feeling as though she was making progress on her fitness, her shot selection and her execution — only to lose in the first round at Grand Slams, six times in her first seven appearances in a main draw, to be specific.
Her first quarterfinal at a Grand Slam was at the Australian Open in 2021. In 2022, she made it to the quarterfinals in every major except for Wimbledon and added a two semifinal appearances, a finals appearance and a title at WTA 1000-level tournaments, events whose status ranks just below a Grand Slam. This year she counts an Australian Open quarterfinal appearance alongside semifinal appearances at 1000-level tournaments in Doha and Miami.
“I understand, it’s tough losing third round. I had a spell where I couldn’t win a first round,” she said. “Then it became I would win my first two, then I would kind of lose in the third round. Now I’ve made a lot of quarters but I haven’t made a semi.”Tiafoe’s progress hasn’t been so linear. Before last year’s U.S. Open, his best showing in a Grand Slam was at the 2019 Australian Open, where he lost to Rafael Nadal.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Frances Tiafoe on disappointing Wimbledon ending: ‘I played god awful’Frances Tiafoe had never experienced the empty feeling he had inside following a disappointing and early Wimbledon exit.
Read more »
Dimitrov dispatches Tiafoe with ease to advance at WimbledonGrigor Dimitrov dispatched American 10th seed Frances Tiafoe in straight sets with a convincing 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory on Sunday to move into the fourth round of Wimbledon where he will meet Danish sixth seed Holger Rune.
Read more »
American Jessica Pegula dominates to reach first Wimbledon quarterfinalsIt was a performance that will live long in Jessica Pegula’s memory after she reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time.
Read more »
Wimbledon Day 7: 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva reaches fourth round, Frances Tiafoe eliminated in straight setsIt's been four years since 15-year-old American Coco Gauff stormed on the tennis scene with a win over Venus Williams at Wimbledon. In similar fashion, 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva is commanding attention.
Read more »
America’s Chris Eubanks grass training has paid off at WimbledonChris Eubanks reached out to International Tennis Hall of Famer Kim Clijsters, a four-time Grand Slam champion, to prepare for the grass court tournament.
Read more »
Eubanks finds grass is greener on the other side at WimbledonChristopher Eubanks called grass the 'stupidest surface to play tennis on' a month ago but the wiry American was singing a new tune on Friday after securing the biggest win of his career to reach the Wimbledon third round.
Read more »