The American Ben Shelton, 9th in the world and a credible outsider for the title in New York, qualified on Sunday evening for the quarter-finals of the US Open, where he will face the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz (3rd).
After a sluggish start to the tournament, losing a set in each round, the 23-year-old left-hander, semi-finalist in 2023, dominated Stefanos Tsitsipas (53rd) 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in the round of 16, without ever being worried by the Greek (no break point).
Two 100% American duels
The American Frances Tiafoe, 12th player in the world and twice semi-finalist in New York (2022 and 2024), qualified on Sunday for the quarter-finals of the US Open after his victory 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) against the Russian Daniil Medvedev (8th).
Tiafoe, 28, is full of confidence after a successful summer tour, having reached the final of the Masters 1000 in Cincinnati. He will face his compatriot Alex Michelsen (46th) in the quarter-finals, who beat Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry (32nd) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 6-4.
Contending for the place of world No.1 at the end of the US Open, the American Jessica Pegula (3rd) qualified for the quarter-finals thanks to her 6-3, 6-4 victory on Sunday evening against the Romanian Sorana Cirstea (17th).
Outgoing semi-finalist in New York and finalist in 2024, the 32-year-old American was very offensive from the start, leading 3 games to 0 before seeing Cirstea gradually adjust the sights.
However, it only took her 38 minutes to complete the first set, which she won on Cirstea’s serve. She will face her compatriot Emma Navarro in the quarter-finals.
