American Frances Tiafoe survived a five-set scare at the US Open, edging countryman Martin Damm in an opening-round clash that spilled into the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 11th seed was victorious 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
With four-time champion Novak Djokovic and Cincinnati tiltist Arthur Fils among the seeds in the bottom half of the draw to have already fallen, two-time semi-finalist Tiafoe looked in danger of being the next to exit New York.
But Tiafoe, who arrived at his home Slam off the back of a final appearance at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, remained composed to overcome Damm’s free-swinging firepower and the lefty’s 28 aces after three hours and 48 minutes.