Watch: Christopher Eubanks overwhelmed with emotions after reaching maiden Masters 1000 4R and breaking into top 100
Christopher Eubanks is having a hard time believing that he has reached the fourth round of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time in his career and that he will make his top-100 debut on Monday (April 3), courtesy of words of encouragement from Frances Tiafoe.
The American player, who entered the 2023 Miami Open as a qualifier, defeated compatriot Denis Kudla in the first round before registering his first top-20 win against Croatia's Borna Coric. Currently ranked No. 119, Eubanks beat World No. 65 Gregoire Barrere of France 6-3, 7-6 (7) in one hour and 22 minutes in the Round of 32.
The 26-year-old was down 2-6 in the second-set tiebreak when he stepped up and won seven of the next eight points to close out the match. Eubanks was in disbelief after the win, so much so that he apologized to the chair umpire for not shaking his hand, although he already had as soon as the match got over.
He celebrated briefly with his coach Ruan Roelofse before holding his head in his hands, still waiting for the feeling to sink in.
"Oh my goodness. I'm in the fourth round," he exclaimed.
The loveliest two minutes you'll see today ❤️
The moment @chris_eubanks96 reached his maiden Masters 1000 R16 - AND realized he's now a top 100 player...
#MiamiOpen https://t.co/wLWLhZoJf2
The absolute heart ❤️ of @chris_eubanks96 is unmatched.
Excuse us if you hear our camera person sniffling because wow what an emotional moment.
Yes, Chris, you’re in the #MiamiOpen 4th round 🙌 https://t.co/7eUoztXEgq
Eubanks was trailing 2-5 in the tiebreak when the game was stopped for 90 minutes due to rain. He ran into compatriot Tiafoe, who later lost to Lorenzo Sonego. In a press conference, Eubanks credited Tiafoe for encouraging him to try and not wait for the third set.
“The first person I saw when I went into the locker room was Frances,” Eubanks said. “I said something like, ‘Yeah, hopefully, I find my range in case this goes three.’ And Frances was like, ‘Man, forget that! You can go out there and win seven points in a row!’ Those were his exact words to me. I was like, 'You know what, that’s a good idea.”
Christopher Eubanks recalls Frances Tiafoe's pep talk at the 2022 US Open
After winning his third-round clash at the 2023 Miami Open, Christopher Eubanks revealed how Frances Tiafoe boosted his confidence during the 2022 US Open.
“I said to him, 'Man, for the first time in my career, I genuinely feel like I can compete with these guys in the top 100, like I can be on that level'. And Frances kind of hits me and he’s like, 'What do you mean you think? You’ve always been at this level'," Eubanks said.
The Atlanta native expressed gratitude towards Tiafoe for making him believe in himself.
"He's [Tiafoe] one of the guys on tour that has done the most for my confidence, always been very positive about reinforcing to me the fact that I can play at that level," he added.
Christopher Eubanks will face World No. 62 Adrian Mannarino in the fourth round with the aim of reaching his first quarterfinal of a Masters event.