Frances Tiafoe Survives Five-Set US Open Scare With a Simple Mental Reset

Frances Tiafoe survived a bruising five-set US Open opener against Martin Damm, leaning on the same mental discipline that has helped him rebuild confidence after a hand injury.

Frances Tiafoe had to dig deep to keep his 2026 US Open run alive, rallying from two sets to one down to defeat fellow American Martin Damm 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 late Monday night. The No. 11 seed needed three hours and 48 minutes at Louis Armstrong Stadium, finally closing out the match at 12:50 a.m. Tuesday.

Damm made the night uncomfortable with a relentless attacking game, firing 28 aces and winning 82 percent of his first-serve points. Tiafoe steadied himself when the match was slipping away, limiting his mistakes in the final two sets and focusing on the simplest path back into the contest: find one break, then protect his own serve.

“The last two sets I wanted to be tough,” Tiafoe said after the win, according to the US Open. “I was like, if I could get one break and just take care of my serve, I’m still in it.” That stripped-down approach worked, with Tiafoe saving two break points in the fourth and not facing one in the deciding set.

The comeback also reflected a broader mindset Tiafoe discussed with Men’s Journal shortly before the tournament. After having a cyst removed from his right hand, he said recovery required him not to let the injury take over mentally, and his method under pressure is to turn emotion into specific tactical questions instead of allowing the size of the moment to overwhelm him.

For Tiafoe, New York’s noise can become fuel when he keeps his attention on the work in front of him. He told Men’s Journal that he reminds himself it is the “same sport, same job, just bigger lights,” then concentrates on practical details such as creating time, moving his opponent and deciding where he wants the ball.

That composure has become increasingly important after a season that included his run to the Cincinnati final and the recent hand issue. Tiafoe said the Cincinnati results helped restore trust in his body and game, while Monday’s escape offered another example of winning without everything feeling perfect.

The victory sends Tiafoe into the second round for the ninth consecutive US Open, where he will face Japanese qualifier Rei Sakamoto. With Jannik Sinner already withdrawn from the tournament because of a knee injury, Tiafoe remains one of the prominent American contenders trying to make a deep run in a draw that has already produced early surprises.

More News, Harlem’s Kahlil Gordon Captures Major Victory at the USA Boxing International Open