NEW YORK – Frances Tiafoe emerged victorious in a thrilling match against Ben Shelton at the U.S. Open, winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3 on Friday. This win marks Tiafoe’s fifth consecutive year advancing to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.

A year ago, Tiafoe was defeated by Shelton in the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open. However, in previous years, Tiafoe has shown his prowess at the tournament, notably defeating Rafael Nadal on the way to the semifinals.

After a grueling match lasting over 4 hours, Tiafoe and Shelton embraced at the net, showcasing great sportsmanship and mutual respect for each other’s game. Tiafoe expressed admiration for Shelton’s talent and competitive spirit during a post-match interview.

Up next, Tiafoe may face Novak Djokovic in the next round, setting up a potential blockbuster match at Flushing Meadows.

The match between Shelton and Tiafoe, initially expected to be a night fixture, took place in the afternoon, drawing a modest crowd due to the previous match’s conclusion. Both players are part of a promising group of American talent in the ATP rankings.

Tiafoe’s relentless attacking style and impressive net play proved to be crucial in his victory over Shelton. With this win, Tiafoe looks forward to the next challenge in the tournament.

Stay tuned for more exciting tennis action at the U.S. Open as the competition heats up!

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis