No American male has won a Grand Slam event in twenty years, but there still are multiple potential candidates with a probability to capture this yr’s U.S. Open title — and to turn into the country’s first major champion since Andy Roddick hoisted the trophy in Flushing in 2003.
4 American men were slated to be in motion in Sunday’s fourth round, with Forty seventh-ranked Ben Shelton setting out the huge day’s slate by advancing to a Grand Slam quarterfinal for the second time this yr with an overwhelming 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over No. 14 seed and fellow American Tommy Paul at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“It’s just different here being at home, being in front of an American crowd,” Shelton said afterward. “I’ve felt the love all week, playing against foreigners. Played one other American today, and we had a terrific battle.
“The group was pretty split, but an unbelievable atmosphere.”
The 20-year-old Floridian blasted two 149-mph aces in a single game within the third set, the best recorded within the tournament.
Even Paul stopped to applaud the feat.
“Just straight adrenaline. I feel my arm might fall off,” Shelton said.
Shelton, also a quarterfinalist on the Australian Open earlier this yr, became the youngest American male to succeed in the Open quarters since Roddick (also 20) did so in 2002.
He’ll face the winner of Sunday’s match between No.10 Frances Tiafoe, considered one of the opposite Americans remaining within the draw, and Australian Rinky Hijikata.
Taylor Fritz, the No. 9 seed, also will likely be in motion later within the day against Switzerland’s Dominic Stricker.
Thus, this yr’s tournament marks the primary time since 2011 that 4 American men reached the Open’s fourth round; the U.S.-produced quartet that yr consisted of Roddick, Mardy Fish, John Isner, and Donald Young.
That yr also was the last time two Americans (Isner and Roddick) reached the quarters here.
WIth Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal dominating the Grand Slam scene for the past twenty years, no American male player has been capable of break through since Roddick 20 years ago, the lone major victory of his profession.
If each Tiafoe and Fritz avoid elimination later Sunday, this may turn into the primary time that three American men advanced to the Open quarters since 2005 when Andre Agassi, James Blake and Robby Ginepri all reached the ultimate eight, with Agassi eventually losing within the finals to Roger Federer.
Shelton and the 26-year-old Paul, a South Jersey native, also had matched up within the quarters on the Australian in January, with Paul prevailing in 4 sets.
Paul broke early and took a fast 3-0 lead, however the lefty Shelton won six of seven games to grab the primary set, closing it out with an ace.
Paul appeared to show an ankle at 2-2 within the second set, and Shelton won 4 straight games to shut out the set and take a 2-0 lead.
Paul rebounded within the third set, but Shelton closed him out with a break within the fourth as Paul’s baseline return sailed long.
