Paul Annacone has offered Frances Tiafoe some advice despite his fine form at the French Open.
Arguably, it is this shocking emergence of wins that has led to confusion, with many wondering why the American could not have conjured up this form during the lesser periods of the year.
Since the Australian Open, where he was knocked out in the second round, Tiafoe has suffered a further two first-round exits and six more in the second round.
Annacone, therefore, has some advice for his compatriot.
Frances Tiafoe told to fix big problem despite French Open form
Speaking to Tennis Channel, Roger Federer’s former coach was full of praise for Tiafoe.
However, this sudden spark of newfound form did lead him to question where the 2022 and 2024 US Open semi-finalist had been over the last few months, with his form faltering.
Annacone therefore suggested: ‘Well I just think he is a huge big-time player at the big moments. He loves this stage, and I think his hardest problem, or his biggest challenge, is trying to have that balance where the chasm between good and bad isn’t so vast.
‘When he does that, I think that’s when he’s a top-five player. When he doesn’t do that he’s going to be between eight and 20 anyway because he’s so darn good. What’s clicked is the equilibrium between the mental and physical stuff. You don’t see Frances Tiafoe winning four matches in straight sets in majors very often. He’s been really good mentally, he needs to stay on that track.’
Frances Tiafoe head-to-head record vs Lorenzo Musetti
Interestingly, this will mark the sixth meeting between these two, but the first of 2025.
And, it will almost definitely be the highest-profile clash, with the only comparable fixtures having been played in Masters 1000-level events.
Here, a spot in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam beckons, both of whom would be enjoying prolonging their best-ever runs at the French Open.
| Year | Winner | Event (ATP only) | Round | Surface |
| 2024 | Frances Tiafoe | Cincinnati Open | Round of 32 | Outdoor hard |
| 2023 | Frances Tiafoe | Stuttgart Open | Quarter-final | Outdoor grass |
| 2023 | Lorenzo Musetti | Italian Open | Round of 32 | Outdoor clay |
| 2023 | Frances Tiafoe | United Cup | Final | Outdoor hard |
| 2021 | Lorenzo Musetti | Acapulco | Round of 16 | Outdoor hard |
Tiafoe holds the slender lead in their head-to-head, having won three of their five meetings, but it’s Musetti who came out on top in their only match on clay.
The Italian has actually not beaten the 27-year-old in over two years, with Tiafoe boasting the two most recent wins too.
Form for the American has been patchy heading into this event, but he has since reached this stage of Roland Garros without dropping a set. In doing so, Tiafoe has made American history alongside Andre Agassi.
It promises to be an enthralling match between two high-octane players, with the winner to play whoever comes out on top in Tommy Paul’s match against Carlos Alcaraz.
