Why Alcaraz, Djokovic remain the favourites – Ferreira

In the final instalment in a series of exclusive features for SuperSport.com, Grant Shub speaks to former world No 6 and current coach of Frances Tiafoe, Wayne Ferreira, about his protege’s rise through the ranks and what we can expect from the 2023 edition of the US Open as the tournament reaches it climax.

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After a four-set quarterfinal battle against the big-serving, hard-hitting Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe exited the US Open stage left. Having previously only dropped a single set, the 25-year-old came off second best in the much anticipated all-American contest.

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Having reached the semifinal at the 2022 US Open, Ferreira admits that Team Tiafoe fell short of their objectives this time at Flushing Meadows. Shelton was a deserved winner in the battle of the close friends and Tiafoe has dropped out of the ATP’s top 10.

DJOKOVIC SURPASSES FEDERER’S RECORD

Shelton now comes up against 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals on Friday. The Serb made light work of American Taylor Fritz and surpassed Roger Federer’s 56 semifinal appearances at a Major. Ferreira, who will now return to South Carolina, says that Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz remain the favourites for the title.

“They are both running through the draw pretty quickly and beating up people pretty badly,” says Ferreira, who was curious to see how Fritz would fare against Djokovic after he rallied from two sets down against fellow Serb Laslo Djere, who is ranked 38th.

SHELTON’S RISE HAS BEEN METEORIC

Since the Australian Open where he made the quarterfinals, Ferreira says that Shelton has had a “pretty average year”. However, he has turned his form around with a really good run at this year's US Open, having reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal under the guidance of his father and fulltime coach, Bryan. Shelton Sr, is himself an ex-professional player and had a highest ranking of No 55 in the world in 1992, which was around the same time Ferreira was at the peak of his powers as a player on tour.

“Ahead of the quarterfinals, Ben was trying to get back to playing the level of tennis that he wanted to and, at the same time, Frances wanted to return to the semifinals,” Ferreira reflects. “In the end, Ben was the one who achieved his goal and we knew it was going to be tough because he serves so hard and has big shots from the baseline.”

ALCARAZ PUTTING ON A MASTERCLASS

Alcaraz, meanwhile, who will come up against Daniil Medvedev in the other semifinal, has enjoyed an easier passage to the final four. The Spaniard has only dropped a solitary set this tournament, which was against Briton Dan Evans in the third round, and produced a veritable masterclass on Arthur Ashe Stadium against German Alex Zverev.

“Alcaraz has been challenged a little bit but not too much,” says Ferreira, who saw his charge lose to the world No 1 in last year’s semifinal. “He is kind of running through it a little easier but the big seeds are starting to come out. It gets tougher from here on out but I also think Carlos is going to get better as the tournament progresses.”

TECHNOLOGY A TALKING POINT AT OPEN

The use of instant analytics has been a hot topic at the 2023 US Open with tablets provided for coaches in the player boxes. Ferreira was seen sitting in front of the iPad during Tiafoe’s matches but he says that he was selective in terms of what he gleaned.

“I looked at things in there to see if there was anything of particular interest,” says Ferriera, who has coached Tiafoe since 2020. “It wasn’t so much of the match but in general I looked at where the serving patterns and per centages went and ran with that.”

However, unlike Brad Gilbert, who coaches Coco Gauff and has been vocal during matches in terms of sharing instructions, Ferreira says he prefers to keep a low profile.

TIAFOE ENCOURAGED TO PROBLEM-SOLVE

“During the match, I try not to say much at all,” says Ferreira, who has shared the box with the likes of Tiafoe’s parents, Frances Sr. and Alphina, assistant coach and hitting partner, Jordi Arconada, and veteran sports agent, Jill Smoller. “I try to save it (the information-sharing) until there is an occasion that something necessary is required. In-match, Frances has got to problem-solve and work out a lot of the things on his own.”

Ferreria says that he doesn’t like to talk too much during a match, otherwise it “gets too much in Tiafoe’s head and he needs to go play as well.”

The man, who lost in five sets to American Michael Chang in the 1992 US Open quarterfinal, reveals to SuperSport.com that, “I will look at the height of the ball, for example, and then suggest to Frances that he changes his direction a bit or attacks his opponent's second serve.”

LAVER CUP NEXT UP FOR ‘BIG FOE’

Tiafoe, who cut a downcast figure at the post-match press conference, will head back to base before getting ready for the Laver Cup which is scheduled from 22 to 24 September. Tiafoe will be on Team World, which is captained by John McEnroe.

The team also comprises Americans Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton, while Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Argentine Francisco Cerundolo complete the line-up of stars.

***The US Open runs from 28 August to 10 September and will be broadcast live on The Home of Sport. You can catch the men’s and women’ semifinal matches on Friday.