TENNIS TUESDAY: Francis Tiafoe, 15, Wins 2013 Orange Bowl

Francis Tiafoe, a 15-year-old African American who last year was the subject of a front page New York Times profile, won the 2013 Orange Bowl Boys' 18 and Under Singles title this weekend. Tiafoe defeated another American, Stefan Kozlov (who is also 15), in the championship match 7-6(3) 0-6 6-3. By winning, Tiafoe became the youngest 18-and-Under Boys Singles champion of the Dunlop Orange Bowl, the most prestigious junior tournament in the world. Previous winners of this title include Jim Courier (1987), Roger Federer (1998), Andy Roddick (1999), Robin Soderling (2001), and Marcos Baghdatis (2003). However, there are also many previous winners of the 67-year-old tournament who never went on to win a professional tennis tournament.

The all-American final of the Orange Bowl was the first time since 2004, when Timothy Neilly (who??) won the title.

Could Tiafoe become the future face of American men's tennis? I should note that Donald Young won the Under-16 Orange Bowl title in 2003.

Interestingly, Francis has a twin brother named Franklin who also plays tennis. The family lives in College Park, Maryland.