Once upon a time, a U.S. Open quarterfinal match featuring two powerful American men was simply known as “tennis,” without any special significance for the sport in this country. This was the norm for the nation that has dominated the Davis Cup, a prestigious team tournament, for many years. However, that changed after 18 long years when Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, two talented young Black men, showcased their abilities on Tuesday night.
Despite coming from different backgrounds — Tiafoe, the son of a tennis center maintenance man, and Shelton, the son of a former pro and esteemed college coach — they have formed a bond. Tiafoe, a 25-year-old veteran and a fan favorite, has taken Shelton, a 20-year-old newcomer who had no passport just a year ago, under his wing, guiding him through his first season as a professional.
“Off the court, he’s a great guy, but on the court, he’s a nightmare,” Shelton said about Tiafoe over the weekend.
Shelton, the dynamic left-hander with serves clocking nearly 150 miles per hour and forehands reaching 112 mph, was spot-on with his assessment.
“Ben has always wanted to compete against me at the Open,” Tiafoe stated when discussing his game plan. He aimed to make it a grueling match for Shelton by forcing him to play numerous balls.
The atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium on that sticky, windless night kept getting hotter as the epic battle unfolded past midnight and into Wednesday morning. While the U.S. Open is known for its late-night spectacles, marked by historic duels, Tuesday was different. The stadium remained electrified as Shelton and Tiafoe engaged in a relentless exchange of blows from start to finish.
In the end, Shelton emerged victorious with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 triumph.
Shelton wasted no time, dominating the first set like an experienced pro. Tiafoe, on the other hand, displayed signs of nervousness and sloppiness, conceding two service breaks and effectively aiding Shelton’s cause.
However, Tiafoe found his groove again, opting not to engage in a mere power-hitting contest fueled by testosterone. He fought for each point and game, allowing Shelton to cool down and succumb to the pressure commonly experienced by younger players.
The turning point arrived during a critical third-set tiebreaker, which saw Shelton cruising towards victory until he committed two consecutive double faults. Suddenly, Tiafoe, who had previously relinquished control of the set, found himself back in the mix.
Shelton is expected to encounter more moments like the one that followed, with Tiafoe on the verge of claiming a two-sets-to-one lead.
The sound that resonates from Shelton’s racket when he connects with a serve or powerful stroke is unlike anything else, resembling a sledgehammer pounding a spike into a railroad tie. Tiafoe’s serve was impressive, but Shelton’s forehand return sizzled just inches from the corner. Tiafoe barely moved, unable to reach it.
“Sometimes, you have to switch off your brain, close your eyes, and swing,” Shelton remarked.
Two errors later, Shelton secured the set and, for all intents and purposes, the match. He broke Tiafoe’s serve in the first game of the fourth set and never looked back.
“I left everything out there tonight,” Shelton declared. “It was an emotional battle.”
Next up, Shelton will face Novak Djokovic, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, in the semifinals on Friday.
“It can’t get any better than that,” Shelton remarked.
Or perhaps it will.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
