Shelton-Tiafoe set for blockbuster Friday showdown

On Friday afternoon, the US Open will be treated to a showdown between two of the most promising American male singles players on the tour – No 20 Frances Tiafoe and No 13 Ben Shelton. The third round clash is a repeat of last year’s quarter-final, where Shelton prevailed in a tight four-set match (6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2). Since then, the two have only met once – at Houston -, with the No 13 victorious once again (7-6, 4-6, 6-3).

Shelton hopes for same result as 12 months ago

Ben Shelton was the victor in last year’s meeting, going on to lose in straight sets to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals (6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4).

The American says that the third round matchup is an enticing prospect:

“I’m excited. These are the type of matches that I love, that I live for. Being able to do it a little bit earlier in this draw, it still feels the same. Still feels like a huge match and one that I’m really excited for. I know that the people love him here. Probably more than me. He’s electric here, and his crowds are electric here. I was watching his match on Louis the other night, and it was pretty cool to watch. We’re good friends. It will be a battle. It will be a war just like the last two times we’ve played. Yeah, I’m more than excited to be out there with him again.”

We’re good friends. It will be a battle. It will be a war

Shelton on the Tiafoe match

The world No 13 was also asked to analyse Tiafoe’s game and the difficulties that it presents players:

“I think it’s tough playing a difficult Tiafoe because he’s good at flipping points. He has the attacking
game obviously where he can take time away from you, especially on that backhand wing. He’s crafty.
He can win a lot of the cat-and-mouse points at the net, and he does a great job flying in when he has you out of position and finishing off volleys. I think when he’s playing his best tennis he’s doing that a lot.
I think it’s also tough. He’s good at flipping points. He’s got, like, special hand skills off the backhand wing. So if you come into net and you don’t come with authority and cover the right spot, he can burn you. I think that those are the kind of points and moments where he gains momentum
and really gets the crowd going. Yeah, I think that he’s a guy that can ride the wave of a crowd really, really well.”

I think that he’s a guy that can ride the wave of a crowd

Shelton on Tiafoe’s game and the impact on a crowd

Cincinnati finalist tiafoe hoping for revenge

Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe will be looking to reverse the result of their meeting at last year’s edition and get a victory over one of his closest friends on tour. Like Shelton, the American has previously made the semi-finals at the event, in 2022, and lost an extremely tight five-set match vs Carlos Alcaraz (6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3).

Reflecting on the match vs Shelton 12 months later, the world No 20 stated:

“Obviously I wanted to get back-to-back semis. I wanted to do well. Obviously, attention shifts. That wasn’t easy. That wasn’t something I was pleased about by any means. Then I had, you know, and then I had bad season after that to follow it. Again, stuff you definitely learn from. You know, I mean, I think everything that comes, you know, in your career, all the highs and lows, only sets you up for better moments ahead. I’m super excited for the match, and any opportunity to do it again. So, yeah.”

I’m super excited for the match, and any opportunity to do it again.

Tiafoe on facing Shelton again

Speaking about his compatriot in particular, and comparisons made between them, Tiafoe stated:

“He’s very much like me in, you know, how excited and, you know, energetic he is on the court and has such a big game and big shots and serves big and gets the crowd going. You know, he’s 20, 21 years old. He’s young, funny, cracks jokes. Just about as immature as I am (smiling). We always have fun joking around and cracking jokes, for sure.”

The winner of the clash will face either Novak Djokovic or, the Montreal champion, Alexi Popyrin on Sunday.

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