By Joe McDonald

NEW YORK—Frances Tiafoe served for the match. Then John Isner served up a comeback.

In an all-American US Open first-round clash, the 20th-seeded Isner rallied from a break down in the final set to eking out a 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory over Tiafoe.

Watch: Monfils Clocks Out In First Round

It was Isner's second career comeback from a two-set deficit.

“The atmosphere was amazing. You guys saw it,” Isner said. “Standing room only in that fifth set. The crowd was going nuts. A lot of people were cheering for (Tiafoe) and rightfully so.

“But it's definitely up there. I feel like I was due. I've lost a number of close matches this year, so to be able to pull that one out feels really good. And in the way I pulled it out feels especially good, so.”

And now the new Grandstand has its first classic match.

It only took two matches to give it that Open feel.

So, sure it was a good idea to put Isner on there.

It’s also a great learning experience for the 18 year-old Tiafoe, the youngest player in the draw, who served for the second round at 5-3 in the decider.

Although he came out on the losing side in a gut-wrenching loss, the youngster made a name for himself in these five short sets and earned major appreciation from the New York City fans.

“As I said before, I've lost a lot of close matches this year in final-set tiebreakers,” Isner said. “You have to try to learn from it, even though it can sort of scar you up, as you said. But you have to try to learn from it. You have to try to stay positive and stay the course and know that it will turn around.

“I know with how I play, very good chance I'm going to be in that situation a lot. Maybe not at a Grand Slam like this, but, you know, I just stuck with it. I was confident in that fifth set breaker. I really believed I was going to win it.”

As did Tiafoe, who said, “toughest loss of my career so far for sure. But, you know, think I'm getting over it now a little bit. I mean, not much to really say. It's tough. I was so excited serving for it 5-3; the crowd is going nuts; I'm going nuts. You have so much adrenaline going.

“Come up a little short, it hurts. But it's against an experienced player. Me and John are great friends. It was a good battle and I had a lot of fun today.”

As it was for the 8,000-plus spectators who watched on the new Grandstand.

Photo credit: US Open/USTA