Evening all. It's time for Roger Federer! And it's time for Francis Tiafoe! This should be great.

Federer isn't quite accustomed to Tiafoe's serve, and after struggles in his first two service games nonetheless, this time Tiafoe races through to love.

Amazing defence from Federer gets him 30-0, and an ace follows; he's getting warm. But just as I type that, a double fault follows and then a long backhand from the net. He mops up thereafter, though/

Tiafoe's serve is so beautifully simple: he throws the ball up and whacks it hard and fast. But it takes him a while to secure his second service game - four deuces, in fact - but he gets there in the end, and only needs three more for a set advantage.

This umpire loves being part of things. He is not part of things. Anyway, Tiafoe gets to 30-all and has a chance when a net cord sits the ball up for his monstrous forehand, but he can't make the next one, and shortly afterwards Federer is on the board.

The standard here is not high - well, not thus far. Tiafoe, though, saves a break point with a heavily topspun forehand down the line, which is more like it ... but after a service winner gets him advantage, he chucks down a double fault. Still, he holds on to consolidate, and we have ourselves a ball-game!

Tiafoe wins the first point of the match, and though Federer wins the second, it's soon 15-40! And Federer miscues again, ceding the break! Tiafoe didn't have to do much to achieve that, but achieve that he did!

Tiafoe is out, and now here comes the man.

For his part, Tiafoe is in nick, having beaten Zverev in Cincinnati. He'll absolutely love this stage, and sooner or later he's going to properly announce himself on the big stage.

Federer has a lower back problem, apparently, and the weather won't be that helpful. But he's already pretty chuffed with his year's work, so whatever.