Tiafoe edges Tien in three sets in Cincinnati last 32

Frances Tiafoe came through an all-American three-setter against Learner Tien in the Cincinnati round of 32, winning 6-4 4-6 6-4 after surrendering the middle set. The margins were slim on serve: Tiafoe landed just 54.9% of his first deliveries but won 78.0% of those points, while Tien was almost identical at 50.0% and 79.1%. The difference came behind the second ball, where Tiafoe took 48.8% of points to Tien's 46.5%, and in the free points, nine aces against eight, though six double faults kept the American under pressure. The win carried Tiafoe into the next round of the Masters 1000.