Frances Tiafoe is relishing his resurgent form on the North American hard courts as he laces up for a bumper clash against Ben Shelton in the third round.
Charismatic, powerful, and back in the top 20, Frances Tiafoe has reminded us what he is all about in recent weeks.
A march to the Cincinnati final only to be pipped at the post by Jannik Sinner saw the American join four compatriots at the top of the pile on the ATP Tour.
Tiafoe comes into this year’s US Open with a chunk of points to defend after his run to the quarter-finals last year.
Gifted an opportunity for revenge, Tiafoe is set to take on 21-year-old Ben Shelton whose run to the last four 12 months ago saw the youngster send him packing.
Under new coach David Witt, Tiafoe has managed to seemingly move on from ‘losing to clowns’ as he put it, and is widely tipped to get one back over Shelton this time around.
Frances Tiafoe praises David Witt for his previous work with Jessica Pegula
In December 2018, Venus Williams ended the 11-year partnership with David Witt, with the 51-year-old having also coached Jessica Pegula from July 2019 to January 2024.
In March of this year, Witt began coaching Maria Sakkari before he started working alongside Frances Tiafoe in July.
“I think our personalities just match so well,” Tiafoe told Tennis.com. “He’s so relaxed and chill, and obviously that, you know, helps me a lot.”
“He did unbelievable with Venus [Williams], he did unbelievable with Jess [Pegula]. Jess was, you know, your average kind of player and then now she’s elite. She’s been elite for years now.
“I mean, every time she steps in a Slam, you’re like, man, she can win it. Just trying to be a part of that,” he finished with a smile.
While Pegula has not seen any success in the majors, in fact having a remarkably poor record with no semi-finals appearances ever, she has certainly dominated for periods on the WTA Tour.
Just in the last month she has defended her Canadian Open title before reading the final in Cincinnati.
Frances Tiafoe vs Ben Shelton – who’s the favorite?
Seeded seven players above Tiafoe, Shelton has enjoyed two vastly different tests to his compatriot in the opening rounds.
Opening his account against wildcard entrant and former US Open champion Dominic Thiem, Shelton was supreme, with his huge lefty serve firing him through.
Another former heavyweight stood in round two yet Shelton had little trouble dispatching Roberto Bautista Agut.
With Tiafoe having wobbled to a four set victory in his opener before his opponent Alexander Shevchenko retired early in the third set, the American should be feeling fresh for his next match.
The biggest match-up so far, both are coming into the contest in good form, Tiafoe’s arguably slightly better.
It ought to be close but with Shelton’s huge serve and improved management of longer rallies, he will be difficult to break down.
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