Ben Shelton was forced to retire from his US Open third-round match on Friday with France’s Adrian Mannarino.
It was a crushing day for American men’s tennis at the US Open. Within just one hour, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe were both eliminated, leaving only Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul carrying US hopes in the men’s singles draw.
Shelton Forced to Retire With Shoulder Injury
Ben Shelton, the No. 6 seed and one of America’s brightest grand slam hopes, was forced to retire from his third-round match. The 22-year-old was leading France’s Adrian Mannarino by two sets to one before disaster struck late in the third.
While stretching for a ball, Shelton landed awkwardly on his left arm. He immediately grimaced and turned to his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, saying: “I did something to my shoulder. I don’t know what it is.”
The pain proved unbearable despite a visit from the physio. Shelton attempted to adapt, turning to serve-and-volley tactics 13 times in the fourth set, but it wasn’t enough. Mannarino fought back to level the match at two sets each. At the changeover, Shelton bowed his head and signaled that he could not continue.
Mannarino advanced 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, ret.
Shelton’s First Career Retirement
For Shelton, it was his first career retirement, and it came in heartbreaking fashion at his home slam. He left Louis Armstrong Stadium with his shoulder wrapped in ice, a towel over his head, and tears in his eyes.
Yet, the young star remained reflective. “I was playing really well, with a lot of confidence. But I’ve got a lot to be grateful for. You won’t hear me pouting after the summer I’ve had,” he said.
Mannarino’s Breakthrough Win
For 37-year-old Adrian Mannarino, ranked 77 in the world, it was a milestone victory. He secured his first-ever win over a top-10 opponent at a major on his 23rd attempt. It also marked his first appearance in the second week of the US Open.
Mannarino will now face Czech No. 20 seed Jiri Lehecka for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Tiafoe Stunned by German Qualifier
Only minutes after Shelton’s retirement, American fans faced another setback. Frances Tiafoe, the 17th seed and a two-time US Open semifinalist, was outplayed by German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff.
Struff, 35, fired 14 aces and kept Tiafoe off balance throughout, sealing a straight-sets upset 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(9). It was his first trip to the last 16 in New York.
Tiafoe admitted his performance fell short. “I played extremely passive today. I didn’t put any pressure on him. It’s going to be hard to swallow. I haven’t felt this low in a long time,” he said.
He also pointed to the quick conditions on Grandstand court. “I was late on everything. I never found my timing,” he added.
Struff’s Dream Run Continues
Struff had already knocked out No. 11 seed Holger Rune earlier in the tournament. Now, his dream run could earn him a fourth-round clash with Novak Djokovic, who was set to face Cameron Norrie later on Friday.
For Tiafoe, the loss marked his earliest US Open exit since 2019.
Fritz and Paul Still Standing
With Shelton and Tiafoe gone, only Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul remain in the men’s singles draw. Fritz, last year’s runner-up in Queens and a recent Wimbledon semifinalist, was scheduled to face Swiss qualifier Jérôme Kym on Friday night. Paul, meanwhile, had survived a grueling five-set battle against Nuno Borges that ended in the early hours of Friday morning.
American Men’s Title Drought Deepens
It has been 22 years since Andy Roddick lifted the US Open trophy in 2003. On a punishing Friday in Queens, that drought looked even harder to break. With Shelton and Tiafoe out, American men’s tennis now rests on the shoulders of Fritz and Paul.
