WATCH: Frances Tiafoe drops multiple F-bombs against chair umpire as shock Shanghai Masters 3R loss comes to a controversial end

Frances Tiafoe's frustrations boiled over in the immediate aftermath of his shock third-round loss to Roman Safiullin at the ongoing 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters. The two-time US Open semifinalist verbally abused chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote on the way to his bench following a brief handshake with the Russian.

Tiafoe and Safiullin locked horns at the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event on Tuesday, October 8. The two-time US Open semifinalist got off to a good start, winning the first set 7-5. However, the Russian player turned the tables on Tiafoe in the second set, clinching it by the same scoreline as the American did in the first.

In the third and decisive set, things went right down to the wire, but ultimately, Safiullin won it 7-6(5).

The two players came together at the net to shake hands, but as soon as the handshake ended, Frances Tiafoe, pointing his right hand at chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote, repeatedly started yelling:

"F**k you!"

Watch the controversial moment below:

Tiafoe's outburst stemmed from the chair umpire's decision to take away his first serve after giving him a time violation. This decision came at a crucial juncture during the third-set tiebreak when the players were level at five points each. The American pleaded his case, but Pinoargote would not budge.

The American, seeded No. 13 in the draw, was the favorite against the unseeded Russian. However, at the same time, Tiafoe was wary of Safiullin's threat. At a press conference following his second-round win at the tournament, the former World No. 10 had called the Russian a "super dark horse" and suggested that Safiullin has the game to beat anyone.

Tiafoe's latest loss at the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters marks another disappointing outing for the American, and his run suddenly seems a long way from what it was during the US Open Series.

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Frances Tiafoe's woes in Asia continue, in stark contrast to his performances at the Cincinnati and US Open

Frances Tiafoe (Source: Getty)

The Asian swing of the ongoing tennis season has not started well for Frances Tiafoe. Before the end of his Rolex Shanghai Masters campaign, which will probably result in a hefty fine, the American was in action at the Japan Open. However, his run in Japan was cut short in his opener against compatriot Brandon Nakashima in the second round.

Tiafoe's recent run is a far cry from the brilliant displays he produced across the Cincinnati Open and the US Open; the two biggest events before the Asian swing began. In Cincinnati, the World No. 17 reached the final before losing to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Next, at the US Open, Tiafoe made it to the semifinals; his second last-four appearance at the prestigious hardcourt Major. However, he could not reach the last hurdle as compatriot and eventual runner-up Taylor Fritz got the better of him after a five-set marathon.