Three American men advanced to the US Open quarterfinals on Sunday, marking a strong showing for the home nation at Flushing Meadows. Frances Tiafoe upset fifth seed Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (1), 6-4, 7-6 (8) to reach his second US Open quarterfinal, while Ben Shelton dominated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Tiafoe's victory over Medvedev was particularly impressive given the Russian's status as a former US Open champion and top-five player. The American was aggressive throughout the match, refusing to let Medvedev settle into his preferred defensive rhythm. Tiafoe converted his opportunities in the tiebreaks, winning the first set decisively before maintaining his level through two more competitive sets.
"Frances Tiafoe a écarté un Daniil Medvedev trop attentiste," reported L'Équipe, noting how Tiafoe neutralized Medvedev's typically patient game style. The victory sets up an all-American quarterfinal matchup, as Tiafoe will face compatriot Alex Michelsen in the next round.
Shelton's path to the quarterfinals proved even more straightforward. The 23-year-old American never dropped a set against Tsitsipas, delivering what The Mirror described as "a scintillating showing that was his first win of the tournament without dropping a set." Shelton's powerful serve and aggressive baseline game overwhelmed the Greek player, who struggled to find his rhythm throughout the match.
The victory marked Shelton's second US Open quarterfinal appearance, setting up a blockbuster clash with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. Shelton's immediate focus after the win demonstrated his professional approach — he headed straight to the practice courts to continue working on his game ahead of the Alcaraz challenge.
"The home favorite was simply too good for his Greek rival," The Mirror reported of Shelton's performance. The American's dominant display ended Tsitsipas's tournament run and continued what the outlet noted was "a streak that has spanned 150 years" — though the specific nature of this streak was not elaborated upon in the source.
Michelsen's advancement means three Americans have reached the men's quarterfinals, representing the strongest US men's showing at their home Grand Slam in recent years. The quarterfinal lineup now features two all-American matchups: Tiafoe versus Michelsen, and Shelton taking on Alcaraz.
For Shelton, the Alcaraz matchup represents a significant step up in competition. The Spanish star, who "actually thought he was set to face Tiafoe" according to The Mirror, will provide a stern test of Shelton's Grand Slam credentials. The 23-year-old American knows he will "need a perfect showing to get past Carlos Alcaraz," as the outlet noted.
The American success comes at a tournament where the prize money has reached $108 million in 2026, according to tournament records. The US Open, now in its 146th edition, continues to be played on the hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
Tiafoe's upset of Medvedev was particularly notable given the Russian's recent form and seeding. Medvedev, a former world number one and 2021 US Open champion, had been expected to advance deep into the tournament. However, Tiafoe's aggressive approach and strong serving proved too much for the typically steady Russian.
The quarterfinal stage will now test whether the American men can continue their strong run. With three players in the last eight, US tennis fans have multiple reasons for optimism as the tournament moves into its business end. The winner of the Tiafoe-Michelsen match will face either Shelton or Alcaraz in the semifinals, potentially guaranteeing at least one American in the final four.
