A repeat of the 2023 US Open quarter-final sees American pair Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe bid for a spot in the last 16.
American tennis powers must be somewhat frustrated to see this match happen so early at the US Open.
Their two most popular performers, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, both of whom are in the finest form all year have both reached the semi-finals over the last two years – a feat better than American nu bet one Taylor Fritz.
However, with an inconvenient draw for organisers, the two are preparing for a premature meeting in the third round.
With Shelton muscling through without a dropped set, Tiafoe has also enjoyed a relatively smooth run with his second round opponent Alexander Shevchenko retiring early in the third set.
Often reliant on his most trusted weapon – his enormous lefty serve – Shelton will need to firing on all cylinders in this early showdown if he’s to undo his equally charismatic countryman.
Jim Courier anticipates an exuberant third round contest between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe
The boisterous duo exude an infectious on-court energy, with Shelton revealing his relationship with Tiafoe to be exactly what you’d expect in many ways.
With a commanding march in four sets for Shelton 12 months ago, former number one Jim Courier has been reflection on last year’s thrilling outing while on commentary duty for Sky Sports.
“I’ll tell you one thing, I think Tiafoe reacted last year,” he suggested. “He was kind of muted emotionally during the match. I thought that Frances was a little bit almost intimidated, with Ben’s ability to get the crowd engaged and his boldness and his brashness and the way he carries himself out there.
“I would expect them to be a bit more of that chest to chest [battle], fighting to see who gets the crowd in that match. I think it’s going to be a pretty taught affair. I can’t pick a winner.”
With organisers having snubbed Shelton and Tiafoe match a spot at prime time, fans will be immediately welcomed to their day of tennis with a potential classic.
Who is the favorite out of Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe?
With American tennis shining, Shelton is probably also looking forward to this match due to his currently unbeaten run against his older compatriot, including that four-set win in New York a year ago.
While Tiafoe has more shot variety, Shelton’s power has previously just about given him the edge.
After Shelton picked up his second ATP title in Houston on clay this year, Tiafoe’s dodgy streak in finals continued and he will be keen to get one back today.
In red-hot form after a run to the Cincinnati final last week, Tiafoe feels primed to at least take this one.
However with Shelton’s much-improved all-court game and notable improvement on managing the longer points better, this one could go down to the wire.
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