Tiafoe stuns Medvedev, Shelton sweeps Tsitsipas as US stars surge into US Open quarters

Frances Tiafoe produced one of his biggest wins at Flushing Meadows, defeating former champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to reach the US Open quarterfinals, while fellow American Ben Shelton powered past Stefanos Tsitsipas to continue a strong run for the home contingent in New York. The 11th-seeded Tiafoe overcame seventh seed and 2021 champion Medvedev 7-6(1), 6-4, 7-6(6) at Louis Armstrong Stadium, reaching the last eight of his home Grand Slam for the fourth time. The victory was particularly significant for Tiafoe, who had lost six of his previous seven meetings with the Russian. He also extended his perfect record at Louis Armstrong Stadium to 10-0 and registered his tour-leading 25th hard-court victory of the season.

Tiafoe breaks Medvedev barrier

Tiafoe, a two-time US Open semifinalist, held his nerve through two tie-breaks and resisted Medvedev’s attempts to drag the contest into a fourth set. The American will next meet compatriot Alex Michelsen, guaranteeing the United States at least one representative in the men’s semifinals. Michelsen reached his maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal after beating Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-4.

Tiafoe’s victory also underlined his remarkable consistency in New York. After reaching the semifinals in 2022 and 2024, the 28-year-old is again within two victories of a first Grand Slam final as he seeks to become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a major singles title.

Shelton books Alcaraz showdown

Shelton was equally impressive at Arthur Ashe Stadium, sweeping aside Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. The eighth seed did not face a single break point, struck 11 aces and won 83 per cent of his first-serve points as he advanced to his second US Open quarterfinal and sixth Grand Slam last-eight appearance.

A far tougher test now awaits Shelton, who will face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the semifinals. Alcaraz advanced with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory over another American, Tommy Paul. Shelton has yet to defeat the Spaniard in three career meetings, but his dominant display against Tsitsipas gives the home crowd another reason to believe that the long wait for an American men’s Grand Slam champion could finally be challenged in New York.