Frances Tiafoe triumphed over Ben Shelton in a thrilling five-set match, advancing to the fourth round of the US Open with a score of 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3. The match, which lasted 4 hours and 3 minutes, showcased Tiafoe’s ability to counter Shelton’s powerful serve and demonstrated his skill at the net.
This encounter marked a rematch of last year’s quarterfinals where Shelton had eliminated Tiafoe. Tiafoe, who also previously achieved his best Grand Slam performance by reaching the semifinals here in 2022, celebrated his fifth consecutive trip to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
In his post-match interview, Tiafoe praised Shelton, acknowledging his talent and aggressive playstyle. “Ben’s an incredible player,” Tiafoe said. “He goes for all kinds of shots… It’s highlight after highlight.”
Shelton, ranked 13th and only 21 years old, recognized Tiafoe’s performance as exceptional, stating, “I thought he played lights-out today.” He expressed a willingness to learn from Tiafoe’s game as he continued to develop as a competitor.
Tiafoe’s next opponent is No. 28 Alexei Popyrin, who notably upset defending champion Novak Djokovic earlier that evening. Both Tiafoe and Shelton are part of a strong contingent of American players making waves in the tournament, with Tiafoe currently holding the 20th rank and Shelton following closely at No. 13.
The match was initially anticipated to take place in the evening but was shifted to an afternoon slot, resulting in a less populated stadium to start. Tiafoe shrugged off concerns about the time change, focusing instead on his goal of winning.
Other American players also found success, with Taylor Fritz advancing after defeating Francisco Comesana and Brandon Nakashima eliminating Lorenzo Musetti. Tiafoe’s matchup against Shelton was the first among top-20 players in the men’s draw during this year’s US Open.
Statistics from the match revealed that Tiafoe won 24 out of 33 long rallies and capitalized on five out of 21 break points against Shelton. The match not only highlighted Tiafoe’s resilience but also his improved game since hiring new coach David Witt.