NEW YORK — The US Open men’s bracket boasts the largest lineup of Americans in over 25 years, showcasing an impressive group of talent. Leading the charge are standout players Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, who kicked off the tournament with stellar performances on Sunday.
Ben Shelton, the No. 6 seed and a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, swiftly triumphed over qualifier Ignacio Buse from Peru, finishing the match in just 2 hours and 7 minutes with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 during the opening match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This year’s tournament marks a new era with the introduction of a Sunday start instead of the traditional Monday kickoff.
Meanwhile, No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz, last year’s runner-up to Jannik Sinner at Flushing Meadows, took nearly 10 minutes less to secure his victory. He defeated fellow American Emilio Nava—a wild-card entry—with a score of 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
In total, there are 23 American men competing, matching the highest number since 1997, a feat Fritz describes as “the most important tournament for us Americans all year.” Additionally, 25 U.S. women are participating, a common occurrence for this powerhouse group of Grand Slam contenders.
“I believe the competition among us motivates everyone to elevate their game,” Fritz noted regarding his fellow American competitors.
All of them are in pursuit of a prestigious goal: the first Grand Slam singles title for an American man since Andy Roddick’s victory in New York back in 2003.
However, that prize seems a challenging distance away, especially with top contenders like Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz having already claimed the last seven major titles.
“As soon as you start looking too far ahead, you can trip over your own feet,” warned Shelton, who faced Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals, succumbed to Alcaraz in the fourth round of the French Open, and was eliminated by Sinner again in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
“This is it, for sure,” Shelton expressed about the US Open, where he previously reached the semifinals in 2023. “This is the pinnacle of tennis for me—what I’ve dreamed of since I was a child.”
On Sunday, he delivered some breathtaking moments, showcasing over double the winners of Buse, including an impressive around-the-post forehand reminiscent of his idol, the left-handed legend Rafael Nadal.
Shelton won 26 out of 33 net approaches and successfully defended against all five of Buse’s break points.
Fritz, too, was impressive, going 13-for-14 at the net and averting all four break points, bolstered by his prior successes at this venue.
What other highlights emerged from Sunday at the US Open?
Emma Raducanu celebrated her first victory in New York since claiming the US Open title in 2021, defeating Ena Shibahara 6-1, 6-2. Other notable matches included No. 1 seed and defending champ Aryna Sabalenka’s performance, while Novak Djokovic faced off against 19-year-old Californian Learner Tien later that evening. Jessica Pegula rounded out the night, going against Mayar Sherif in the final match at Ashe.
What’s on the schedule for Monday at the US Open?
Venus Williams is set to make her long-awaited return to Grand Slam tennis after two years, facing off against 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova on Monday night. The 45-year-old Williams boasts a remarkable seven major singles titles to her name. Other highlights for Day 2 include Carlos Alcaraz taking on powerful American Reilly Opelka, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe.
