Shelton sets third-round blockbuster with Tiafoe at US Open

Posted by author August 28, 2024 Tennis

He will now face a rematch of last year’s quarter-finals in the third round, with the in-form No 20 seed Frances Tiafoe waiting.

After the match, Shelton was asked his thoughts on the upcoming blockbuster:

“I didn’t know,” he confessed on court. “I’m not someone who usually looks at the draw early in advance. You guys made this draw exciting early in the week, huh?

“I’m really looking forward to it. We had a battle in the quarters here last year. I’m sure it’ll be another popcorn type match. I hope you guys come out again on Friday. I’m looking forward to another one. We gotta bring the energy again. Let’s get it.”

Shelton holds a 2-0 head-to-head against Tiafoe, but the latter has won seven of his last eight matches, having made the final of Cincinnati in the lead-in to New York.

Should Shelton defeat Tiafoe, the prize would be a likely round-of-16 clash against 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic – a repeat of the pair’s 2023 US Open semi-finals.

In the previous round of the US Open, the 21-year-old American beat Austrian wildcard Dominic Thiem (6-4, 6-2, 6-2).

Bautista Agut, ranked No 67, won against Italian Luca Nardi (7-5, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)) in the first round of the US Open.

New York (Grand Slam), other second-round results (USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, hard, USD 75.000.000, most recent results first):