5 Americans make US Open quarters and Florida tennis fans rejoice

Is American tennis back? Perhaps. This year's US Open has delivered five American players into the quarterfinals: Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Coco Gauff, and Madison Keys.

On the men's side of the draw, the trio of American men have accomplished something that hasn't happened since 2005. Eighteen years ago, Andre Agassi, James Blake and Robby Ginepri were the last three American men to reach the US Open quarterfinals in the same year.

Above: Lots of people are focusing in on Ben Shelton following his 4-set triumph over fellow Floridian Tommy Paul. Photo by Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis. 

"I've said it for a long time, whenever one of us does something, achieves something, it makes everyone else feel like they can do it too," said Fritz in a post-match interview. 

Fritz plays Djokovic next and Novak is already applying pressure. Djokovic said, "America has had some all-time greats: Pete Sampras, Agassi, McEnroe, Roddick, Connors, incredible players over the years. When you are used to champions and No. 1s in the world, Grand Slam winners, anything except that is not a success, right?”

On the women's side of the draw, a pair of American players hailing from Florida have made their way into the quarterfinals. Coco Gauff is from Delray Beach. And Madison Keys resides in Orlando.

Above: An innocent tennis ball about to receive a serious whooping courtesy of Coco Gauff. Photo by Todd Pechter for Florida Tennis.

Wait a sec. Ben Shelton played for the Florida Gators. That means Florida can claim the majority of Americans making their way through to the quarterfinals at the US Open.

If it wasn't for Keys facing Pegula and Shelton facing Paul in the previous round the count could have been even higher. But we digress.

American tennis fans should be proud of the five who've made it this far in Flushing this year. And Florida tennis fans should be rooting for Gauff, Keys, and Shelton. We're looking for all three to push even further in the tournament.

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Written by Florida Tennis' Executive Editor and Publisher Matt Pressman with photos of Ben Shelton and Coco Gauff and commentary from Florida tennis contributor Todd Pechter. Top photo of Madison Keys courtesy of Garrett Ellwood/USTA.