Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton put on another show to remember at the US Open, this time in round three, with Tiafoe coming out on top after a grueling four-hour fight at Flushing Meadows. This hard-earned victory sends Tiafoe to the Round of 16 where Australia’s Alexei Popyrin awaits him. In another match, Alexander Zverev proved his toughness by fighting back to beat Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry, lining up his next match against Brandon Nakashima.
Tiafoe Avenges Last Year’s Loss in a Thrilling Five-Set Battle
In a match that people will remember as one of the best in the tournament, Frances Tiafoe beat Ben Shelton fair and square getting back at him for losing in the quarter-finals of the 2023 US Open. Last year, Shelton came out on top against Tiafoe with a 6-2 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 win, but this time around, Tiafoe showed how much he’s improved and how he wanted it pulling off an exciting five-set win: 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-3.
Thinking back on the match, Tiafoe said, “Ben’s a great player, and he always brings his A-game. But this year, I felt we both stepped up our game. The quality of tennis was better than last year. I’ve put in a lot of work on myself, both in my head and my body, to make sure I give it my all on the court.”
He went on, “I’m trying not to beat myself. I want to make sure that if I lose, it’s because my opponent earned it, not because I handed it to them.”
Zverev Fights Back to Reach the Round of 16
Alexander Zverev also made it to the Round of 16 after he came back to beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Even though he lost the first set Zverev, who ranks fourth in the world, fought hard to get his 100th Grand Slam win. He defeated his 25-year-old opponent from Argentina 7-5, 5-7, 1-6, 3-6.
Zverev keeps going in this tournament as he tries to win his first Grand Slam title. He almost got it in 2020 when he ended up second at the US Open. Next, he’ll play against Brandon Nakashima from the USA. This match will push Zverev’s determination and goals even further.
As the US Open goes on, fans can look forward to more excitement tough matches, and maybe even some shocks. The top players will keep fighting for the win at one of tennis’s biggest events.
