Frances Tiafoe compares French Open rival to Ryan Garcia as umpire breaks up furious clash on court

Frances Tiafoe won yet another dramatic five-set thriller at Roland Garros.

On May 28, Tiafoe defeated Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz (7-6), 7-6, 6-4, (7-6), 6-4 to set up a matchup with Jaime Faria in the third round.

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When the American went two sets down to Faria on Saturday, it seemed like we were set to have yet another high-profile early exit.

However, Tiafoe bounced back and win three on the bounce, booking his ticket into the fourth round, and he had some inspiration on the way.

Tiafoe and Faria separated by umpire after heated clash in fifth set

The tension had naturally been building all throughout this encounter, and it was no surprise when it boiled to the surface in the deciding fifth set.

With one of Tiafoe’s shots called out by umpire Marijana Veljovic, he seemingly approached the net to check the mark that Faria had verified.

Tiafoe used this as an opportunity to wind his opponent up, repeating: “Relax and play.”

Faria then complained to the chair umpire as the players approached each other at the net: “You see what he’s saying?”

The umpire, speaking mainly to Faria, who had approached the net, insisted: “Okay, all of this has to stop, all of this.”

Tiafoe began to approach the net, when Veljovic stepped down from the chair and the crowd began to boo.

“You’re trying to act like you’re tough. You’re not hard bro. Just play. Just play. Enjoy the match. You’re sitting here saying this balls out. Just play,” Tiafoe added.

“You’re disrespectful,” Faria replied, before returning to his baseline.

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It would be the American with the last laugh, claiming victory past midnight and he will now face Matteo Arnaldi, who eliminated Raphael Collignon in a fifth-set tiebreaker after nearly five hours.

Tiafoe admitted he needed confrontation to get over the line

Immediately after the game, Tiafoe spoke with Sloane Stephens about the confrontation with Faria.

When asked how he was feeling after the pair met at the net, the American was clear in the fact that inspired him.

“No, 100 percent, I felt like I needed that too,” Tiafoe said.

“I was up at that time, but I was still a little nervous and he was chirping, definitely giving me a little bit of lip.

“He thought he was [boxer] Ryan Garcia or something, I had to let him know, ‘Just chill out and play.’

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“It was a little back and forth, nothing serious, but it definitely went in my favor.”

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