US Open Day 6, Two Big American Casualties

The hope for an American to be the last one standing at the end of the 2025 Open took a big hit Friday on the men’s side of the draw. Two of the higher-ranking players from the USA, the #17 seed Francis Tiafoe and the #6 seed Ben Shelton, were ousted from the tournament, both losing to veterans of the tour who are indeed veterans.

On the Grandstand court, Tiafoe lost in straight sets to 35-year-old Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany, currently ranked #144 in the world — but don’t believe that is a true reflection of his abilities as he was #21 only two years ago. From the outset, Tiafoe didn’t seem to be able to get it going. Still, we’ve seen him stage some big comebacks in his career and it appeared that might be the case here. With a packed Grandstand crowd clearly behind him, Tiafoe battled to get into a 3rd-set tie-breaker, but ended up falling short with Struff coming away with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) victory.

Above: Francis Tiafoe chases down a short ball during a straight set loss. Photo credit: pechterphotos.com.

While the loss is certainly disappointing, it most likely will not figure in the possibility for an American man to come away with a Grand Slam title here. Tiafoe is a talent the likes of which we have touched upon when giving an overview of American players over the last two decades: very good all-around game, a great battler who has played some terrific matches, very entertaining style of play, and a really terrific guy. That said, he has not been able to crack the top rankings in the game or managed to take home a Slam, and it does not appear that he will. Look, we love Francis and really hope we are proved wrong about this and have to eat our words. And it isn’t like one needs to be a Keanu Reeves “The One” from The Matrix to make a huge positive impact for the sport in this country. But it has been a while since the last American man stood upon that podium, so we are probably a bit anxious.

Which brings us to Shelton, who was tied at two sets each when he had to retire due to a shoulder injury, giving 37-year-old Frenchman Adrian Mannarino the victory. Shelton is presently the 2nd highest-ranked American, and is someone who indeed has strong potential to be “the One,” which we will get back to shortly. As to the match itself, you have to give credit to a veteran such as Mannarino; while age can diminish skill, it usually adds savvy, which likely played a role at a crucial time, a single crucial point, of the contest. Midway through the 4th set, Shelton was serving at deuce when he uncorked a well-placed bomb of 140mph, which would usually go for an ace, or at least be unreturnable. Mannarino not only got his racket on the ball, but hit an equally blistering shot which blew by Shelton, who didn’t even move for the ball. It set up a break point that Mannarino was able to convert, and hold on to take that 4th set.

Above:  Known for his offense, Shelton also possesses an impressive defensive game. Photo credit: pechterphotos.com.

In order to have any chance of making such a shot like the one Mannarino hit, you pretty much have to guess. However, the good guesses on the tennis court are not made blindly; they are educated guesses… Savvy. Something he had seen in his years of experience on the court or perhaps specifically in the way Shelton was playing the match yesterday told Mannarino what and where that serve was going to be. The lesson here, which is applicable to our normal everyday lives as well: respect the vets.

Getting back to Shelton, at the moment he is the 2nd highest-ranking American next to Taylor Fritz, and he may well have a greater chance to be “the One.” At only 22 years of age, he is unquestionably one of the most formidable players in the game. With an awesome serve that has hit 150mph and a shot repertoire which he seems to effortlessly command with force, he literally puts “Pow!” in power tennis. And while his offensive game is usually what draws the attention, Shelton possesses great court coverage and a sound defensive game as well. To date, the Achilles heel preventing him from even loftier accomplishment simply comes down to mistakes. All too often, he misplays a few points in a row, and there goes a match. And much of the time, those mistakes seem to be of a loosely played point variety, which should be easily rectifiable by more serious concentration.

It is always disappointing to have a player retire during a match, resigning themselves to the hope of a better outcome in the future. And speaking of the future, let’s hope that Shelton’s injury is not serious and that it will serve as a springboard towards helping him emerge as “the One.”

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Written by Florida Tennis Contributor Todd Pechter. Photo credits: pechterphotos.com.