Frances Tiafoe triumphed over Ben Shelton in a thrilling five-set encounter to move into the fourth round of the US Open, winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3. The match took place on Friday, marking Tiafoe’s fifth consecutive appearance in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
A year prior, Tiafoe faced defeat at the hands of Shelton in the quarterfinals, while the previous year saw him reach the semifinals after a stunning victory against Rafael Nadal. Tiafoe, who has shown mixed results in five-set matches historically, displayed resilience in this one, overcoming a challenging opponent after a grueling 4-hour and 3-minute battle. Upon sealing his victory, Tiafoe embraced Shelton at the net, expressing his admiration for his friend and opponent.
“Ben’s an incredible player,” Tiafoe said during a post-match interview. “He goes for all kinds of shots… It’s really annoying how talented he is. I hope you guys enjoyed the show.”
Shelton echoed Tiafoe’s sentiments, praising his performance and reflecting on the intensity of the match. “It felt like one of those matches late in the tournament,” he noted.
Tiafoe’s next challenge will be against No. 28 Alexei Popyrin, who recently upset defending champion Novak Djokovic.
While many anticipated a night match for Tiafoe and Shelton, the match occurred in the afternoon and began before a less-than-full crowd. Tiafoe expressed gratitude for the day atmosphere, stating, “It was epic during the day. I think everyone loved it.”
Both players, part of a rising generation of American men in the sport, are contributing to a hopeful outlook for future championships in the country. Tiafoe and Shelton are among five American men currently ranked in the top 20, a promising sign for U.S. tennis fans who have not seen a men’s Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick in 2003.
In other tournament action, the highest-ranked American man, No. 12 Taylor Fritz, advanced with a decisive victory and will face Casper Ruud. Meanwhile, Brandon Nakashima secured his place by defeating Lorenzo Musetti.
The match featured a significant number of break points, with Tiafoe converting five against Shelton’s serve. Tiafoe also showcased impressive net play, winning a substantial majority of points when he approached the net. His recent improvement in performance has come after teaming up with coach David Witt.
After an inconsistent start to the season, Tiafoe’s current form and success against top-20 players signal a resurgence and an exciting path forward as the tournament progresses.