ATP
US Open Men’s Day 7
Frances Tiafoe led neophyte compatriot Ben Shelton to unexpected spots in the US Open fourth round on Sunday, with the American national No. 2 defeating Australian wild card Ricky Hijikata 6-4, 6-1, 6-4.
Shelton, the 47th-ranked son of a former ATP player broke new ground with his 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win over compatriot Tommy Paul.
Compatriot Taylor Fritz joined in, defeating Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4.
The American came into the match having held all 34 service games so far here, and was broken only once in advancing to the last eight.
Three US men have reached the quarters in New York for the first time since 2005.
Shelton, aged 20, became the youngest American to reach the home quarter-finals since Andy Roddick (20) in 2002.
The win marked revenge for a loss Shelton took to Paul in January’s Australian Open.
“Being at home here in front of an American crowd, I have felt the love all week,” the winner, who next faces Tiafoe, said.
“I played another American today and we had a great battle. It’s hard to believe I am playing on Arthur Ashe right now with the stands completely full.”
Shelton fired a pair of 239 kph serves 1 in the third set, setting the standard for the tournament.
Shelton lost a 4-1 lead in the third set after leading two sets to love, but recovered with a storming final set for victory.
Shelton ended with 36 winners, including 16 aces.
He credited “straight adrenaline,” for his two service bombs.
“In any other atmosphere I wouldn’t be able to get it down. I think my arm might have come off. But it is feeling pretty good right now.”
The tenth-seeded Tiafoe moved to within one more win of duplicating his semi-final here a year ago as he beat Hijikata in just over two hours.
“I had never played him before but when I broke in the first I really took off,” Tiafoe said.
“I got a little sloppy at the end but happy to be through and happy to be in the quarter-finals.”
Tiafoe, fourth American since Andre Agassi (2002-’05) to reach the fourth round here for four consecutive years, has never played Shelton on the Tour.
Tiafoe said his upcoming opponent has crazy energy like Bugs Bunny.”
“He’s going to come after me and I am going to come after him. It will be a great battle.
“We are going to compete really hard. It will be in the big house (Ashe stadium) and I plan to be in the semis.”
The last time two Americans reached the last eight was in 2011 through John Isner and Andy Roddick.
Tiafoe pounded 27 winners against Hijikata but needed a second chance to serve out the win.
“I got too relaxed and the feet got sloppy. But a win is a win, especially in straights and overall I am really happy with my performance.”
Main photo:- Francis Tiafoe celebrates victory – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Holger Rune battled past injured Carlos Alcaraz to spoil the Spanish Easter party at the Barcelona Open, with the Dane lifting the trophy 7-6 (6), 6-2.
The pair of 21-year-olds were familiar foes, having played 20 times in juniors before hitting the Tour; Rune won the first 500 series title of his career and his fifth overall.
Alcaraz was treated three times in the second set after an apparent injury to his upper right thigh/groin after duelling hard in the opening set at the Real Club.
The loss will send Alcaraz back to third in the rankings, with Alexander Zverev moving back to second behind Jannik Sinner as a result of winning the Munich title on Sunday.
Rune, a first-round victim last week in Monte Carlo, reversed his clay momentum in Spain, handing Alcaraz a first loss of a set for the week.
The Spanish top seed’s two final shots both clipped the top of the net and fell back as Rune raised his hands in celebration after 97 minutes on court in the Catalan capital.
“This means the world,” the winner said. “I started the match stressed, he was playing big-time tennis.
“I was able to find my rhythm after he broke me (3-2 in the opening set) and I got more into the match.
“The first set was a big battle with a lot of important points. It was super-important to win the set and gain momentum.
“I’m so proud of myself.”
Rune ended with 18 winners while the ailing Alcaraz produced 33 unforced errors. The Dane claimed his 50th match win on clay and levelled his Tour record in the series to 2-2.
Rune said he channeled Novak Djokovic’s Paris Olympic gold medal win from last summer over Alcaraz as he struggled to turn his game around in Barcelona.
“I asked myself what Novak did to win that final. I (realised) that I didn’t need to hit every ball on the line. I need to make him play and hit a lot of balls.”
Rune, who won the elite Paris Bercy Masters 1000 title in 2022, finally began reversing a 13-match loss streak against top five opponents.with his title victory.
Alcaraz may be racing for fitness with the Madrid Masters starting on Wednesday as the ATP ploughs ahead with an unpopular two-week format for Masters tournaments despite growing protest from exhausted players.
Main photo:- Holger Rune celebrates Barcelona win – by ATPTour.com
Alexander Zverev turned 28 on Sunday and awarded himself a third title on his home Munich clay as he beat Ben Shelton 6-2,6-4 to win the ATP event.
The 2017 and 2018 champion here is now threatening Carlos Alcaraz as the pair duel for the world No. 2 position which the Spaniard took over last week after winning Monte Carlo.
Zverev schooled lefthander Shelton in 70 minutes for a second win in their series. The winner becomes the second to hold three Munich titles after countryman Philipp Kohlschreiber (2007, 2012, 2016).
“I’m enjoying my birthday so far,” Zverev said. “It’s extremely special to win in Germany, the most special thing I can do.
January’s Australian Open finalist added: “It’s definitely a great birthday present, I knew I had to play my best today, conditions were very hot and very fast.They were perfect for me.”
The winner broke three times while never facing a challenge to his serve from Shelton as he claimed a sixth career title at the 500-Tour level.
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev with his “birthday” trophy – by BMW Open/Bitpanda
Alexander Zverev gave fans in Munich what they were after as the top seed rolled into the final of the clay ATP in Bavaria with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 defeat of Fabian Marozsan.
World No. 3 Zverev, who won the titles in 2017 and 2018 needed 91 minutes to advance into a title match with Ben Shelton.
The American earned his spot with a .2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4 defeat of Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
Zverev advanced with nine aces and broke twice in the tidy win over his Hungarian opposition.
“It’s awesome. The entire week has been great. Everybody is really enjoying the weather as well as the new Center Court,” the winner said. .
“I’m enjoying myself and hopefully I will have another great day tomorrow.”
Shelton reached his fourth career final, becoming the first American man to reach a clay final above ATP 250 level since Andre Agassi won the Rome Masters 23 years ago.
“It’s a big win for me. To get a win on clay against a guy like him gives me a lot of confidence,” Shelton.
“I’m really happy and excited to be in a 500-level final in Europe, my second clay-court tournament this season.
“I’ve been playing well this week and I’m not too stressed right now.”
Main photo:-Alexander Zverev winning in front of his home crowd – by ATPTour.com
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Rune rises to the occasion with defeat of Alcaraz
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