NATIONAL BANK OPEN

August 11, 2021

Frances Tiafoe

Press Conference

F. TIAFOE/D. Shapovalov

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Maybe you can explain what you think made the difference today.

FRANCES TIAFOE: I mean, windy conditions definitely favored me. Denis, taking a lot of big cuts. Definitely frazzled a bit. Wasn't very erratic tonight.

But I served well. I served well, and I was solid. I think I handled the conditions better than he did, and I played super-aggressive. I didn't really let up.

I think that was the difference.

Q. You guys are friends. Does it make any difference beating friends on tour?

FRANCES TIAFOE: Yeah, I mean, this is the sixth time we have played. It's not too crazy. But, yeah, you know, I came with a much more relaxed approach the last couple times we played. You know, joking with him before the match. Was much more serious today. I really wanted to win. I definitely approached it a different way.

Again, I mean, it was just my night tonight.

Q. What were your thoughts about the win tonight? The conditions?

FRANCES TIAFOE: It was very windy, especially early on. Very windy. But, you know, again, I thought it was going to favor me. Denis likes to swing big and really go for his shots. With conditions like that, makes it a little tough.

He was definitely flustered with that. He was a little out of sorts. I definitely used it to my advantage. I was able to be solid, I was able to serve well, come to the net and kind of just make it super awkward for him.

Again, just a great night for me.