Ben Shelton lost all three previous matches against [2] Carlos Alcaraz. Even more disturbing, he had never won a set on hard court against the Spaniard. How would Shelton turn that around this time? A different mindset! The first set went to a tiebreak after each player broke once. The Spaniard won that 7-6(5). In the past, Shelton would have gotten discouraged, not today. This is a new and improved Shelton.
Embed from Getty ImagesBen Shelton Was Ready For The Challenge
Shelton came back with focus and precision tennis to win the next two sets 6-1, 6-3. Yet, you can never count out the Spaniard, who elevated his game to win the fourth set 6-1. It is quite fitting that this match ended with a fifth set tiebreaker. [8] Ben Shelton won the most important tiebreaker, 7-6(10-6) to win the match. In the process he ended several streaks of the Spaniard: his eighteen-match win streak at the majors; his 13-0 streak against Americans; and his 14-0 streak against left handers. Shelton’s victory guarantees that an American man will make the US Open final.
Embed from Getty ImagesTiafoe Amongst The Other American Winners
Alex Michelsen had history in the making on his racquet. Not only would he have gotten to his first major semifinal, but he would also had been the first American to get to the semifinal of a major without dropping a set since, Jim Courier in 1991. His pain was palpable even through the television. I felt really bad for Michelsen. He had it on his racquet and just like that his dream was squashed and he walked off the court in tears. On the other side, [11] Frances Tiafoe woke up and played better tennis to win 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(10-6).
[3] Jessica Pegula has defeated Emma Navarro in every one of their four previous encounters. Navarro was hoping to change things this time. She got off to a good start in part because Pegula was tight. Once she settled into the match, Pegula righted the ship and won 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. [1] Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend defeated [6] Bucsa/Melichar-Martinez 6-4, 6-2. Robin Montgomery and Ashlyn Krueger are still going strong in doubles. They defeated the number nine seeds to win 7-6(5), 6-3
Embed from Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka Escaped The Upset Bug
[6] Linda Noskova came oh so close, but close is not enough when you play [1] Aryna Sabalenka. When you play someone who has been a dominant number one for so long, you have to be laser focused and not take your foot off the accelerator. Hoping or praying that they will make a mistake is also not the solution. It was on Noskova’s racquet, but Sabalenka was determined to win this match. She shook off the second set, a break in the third set, and upped her game when it mattered. The result, victory: 7-6(1), 3-6, 7-6(10-7).
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
