Fritz, Tiafoe, Shelton make it three American men in U.S. Open QFs

Heading into Sunday’s schedule of play, there was assured to be at the very least one American man within the U.S. Open quarterfinals.

By the tip of the night time, the host nation multiplied that by three.

For the primary time since 2005 (Andre Agassi, James Blake, and Robby Ginepri), three American males are within the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows. Main the following era–what the USTA can solely hope turns into an amazing era–this fortnight are Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Ben Shelton.

Shelton was the primary to guide his quarterfinal spot on Sunday afternoon, as he received an all-American affair with Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. The previous College of Florida standout cracked two 149 MPH aces on his solution to victory, avenging his Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Paul.

“I believe straight adrenaline,” Shelton mentioned. “I believe another environment I wouldn’t be capable of get it down and I believe my arm might need come off. However it’s feeling fairly good proper now.”

American males’s tennis as an entire needs to be feeling nice proper now, as Shelton is joined within the final eight in NYC by Fritz and Tiafoe. Each Fritz and Tiafoe received their fourth-round matchups in straight units, Fritz over Dominic Stricker and Tiafoe on the expense of Rinky Hijikata.

“I believe it’s a extremely cool alternative for American tennis,” Shelton mentioned. “That is what you guys at all times discuss to us about: ‘who’s going to be the following Grand Slam champion? Who’s going to do it?’ I at all times have the identical reply: American tennis goes in an amazing path and I don’t know who’s going to be the following to get a slam, be the following Andy Roddick, however I do know we’re all on our personal path and we’re all doing issues our personal method and bettering 12 months to 12 months. I can see it in these guys–hopefully see the identical sort of development with myself.”

There’s nonetheless an extended solution to go earlier than one of many three can win this title, however at the very least one shall be within the semis. That’s as a result of Shelton and Tiafoe will sq. off within the quarters on Tuesday.

“I referred to as it like two rounds in the past,” Fritz commented. “I mentioned, ‘Hey, there’s undoubtedly going to be an American within the semifinals on that aspect.’”

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.