Double blow for US as Shelton, Tiafoe exit

Home hopes at the US Open were dealt a double blow as Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe made their exits with shock defeats in the third round.

But fourth seed Taylor Fritz, the 2024 runner-up, stayed in the trophy chase as he defeated feisty Swiss challenger Jerome Kym 7-6 (3), 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4.

The American fired 20 aces among his 55 winners to go put down the challenge.

Meanwhile Shelton had to quit with a shoulder injury trailing dangerous French veteran Adrian Mannarino 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 while Tiafoe lost 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7) to Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.

Shelton, who won this month’s Toronto title, could not complain about his breakthrough success.

“I’ve got a lot to be grateful for. Been pretty fortunate with my life—blessings, talents, a lot of things God’s given me. 

“A small setback like this, yeah, it hurts. I was playing really well, I was in form, a lot of confidence. Just so many things to be happy with the way that I was playing, moving on the court, competing.”

Novak Djokovic continued to make progress in his fist event since Wimbledon, with the 24-time Grand Slam winner going past Britain’s Cam Norrie  6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3.

The Serb came from a break down in the third set to complete his recovery.

“It makes your life easier obviously, on the court, when you’re serving big,” Djokovic said. “Overall it was probably the best serving performance of the tournament.

“So of course I’m glad for that. It’s probably one of the most, if not the most, important shots in the game.”

Djokovic, 38, who next plays Struff, will be the oldest player into the New York round of 16 since Jimmy Connors – a few days away from 39 – in 1991.

The veteran also took a medical timeout off court for back strain but managed to stay in touch to complete victory by winning 12 of the last 16 games as he plays here for the 17th time.

“You really want to win in straight sets without any drama, just kind of ease through. But that’s not possible,” he said. 

“I’m still trying to find my groove and my rhythm on the court. I think today I played probably the best that I’ve played so far in the tournament.

“It’s New York, you know. Even if you’re feeling something, body wise, the energy that you feel in this court just overrides it.”

Main photo:- Ben Shelton at US Open by Mark Greenwood/Grandslamtennis