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Tiafoe defeats Tsitsipas to score Wimbledon first round upset

By Spencer Swoboda

US player Frances Tiafoe celebrates his win over Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles first round match on the first day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)
US player Frances Tiafoe celebrates his win over Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles first round match on the first day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The first big upset of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships has come halfway through Day 1 of the tournament. American Frances Tiafoe (World No. 57) secured a straight sets victory over third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. The door is now open for Tiafoe to make a deep run into the major tournament after his fourth career win against a Top 10 opponent.

Tsitsipas, who’s on-court mood and energy matched the grey London clouds overhead, could never seem to get anything going in the match. He did not play in a grass court event leading up to Wimbledon which could have very well played a factor into his performance. The 2021 French Open runner-up was 0-for-7 on break point opportunities, many of them coming in the third set when he had a chance to get back on serve. On the other hand, Tiafoe was 4-for-8 on break point opportunities.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece waves to the crowd as he walks off the court after loosing his Men’s Singles First Round match against Frances Tiafoe of The United States during Day One of The Championships – Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by AELTC/David Gray-Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece waves to the crowd as he walks off the court after loosing his Men’s Singles First Round match against Frances Tiafoe of The United States during Day One of The Championships – Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by AELTC/David Gray-Pool/Getty Images) /

The match was fairly balanced but one thing that led to some separation was points won second serve. Tiafoe won 67 percent of his second serve points while Tsitsipas only won 42 percent. But, the crowd played a factor as well.

As mentioned, it appeared that Tsitsipas lacked energy during the match. Tiafoe did not let the overcast skies dampen his mood. Numerous times, Tiafoe was smiling and making sure to get the Court 1 crowd involved and on his side. He received a grand round of applause as he walked off the court.

Next up for Tiafoe is a second round matchup against the winner of Roberto Carbelles Baena and Vasek Pospisil. He has ever faced either opponent on the ATP Tour.

Stats courtesy of IBM SlamTracker

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