Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, two of the best American hope on the men’s side, will kick off the third round action at the US Open on Friday. Shelton is confronted with Adrian Mannarino, while Tiafoe is fighting Jan-Lennard Struff.
(6) Ben Shelton vs. Adrian Mannarino
It will be a complete LEF confrontation when Shelton and Mannarino for the fourth time in their career in round three of the Our open On Friday afternoon. Left is of course where the similarities between the two start and end. Mannarino is a 37-year-old who massages the ball around the field and takes very few risks. Shelton is a 22-year-old who can overpower opponents with one of the biggest service on tour. It should be a fascinating contrast to styles in a matchup that leads Mannarino with 2-1. He prevailed in three sets on the Miami Masters from 2023 and in five on the Australian Open 2024, but Shelton rolled earlier this summer with 6-2, 6-3 at the Toronto Masters.
It is no surprise that Shelton turned the tide in Toronto, because he is now a much more complete player than he was when he lost twice to Mannarino. The American, who subsequently Toronto on Tilt, has risen to No. 6 in the world and comes in fourth place in the race to Turin. Shelton made progress in New York with straight victories over Ignacio Buse and Pablo Carreno Busta, while Mannarino had thrown Tallon Greekspoor and Jordan Thompson while he dropped only one set. The World No. 77 is not fun to play against when he is in this kind of form, but their recent head-to-head results is very encouraging for Shelton and even in the early stages of his career it is clear that he will thrive for a long time on the big stage of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Pick: Shelton in 4
(17) Francy’s Tiafee vs. (Q) Jan-Lennard Cruff
Just like Shelton, Tiafoe gives priority to the US Open over any other tournament – what he should do as an American. During his career, the 27-year-old has reached a highlight several times at this event, including a semi-final last summer. Tiafoe laid the foundation for what he hopes to make more noise in New York with victories earlier this week about Yoshihito Nishioka (straight sets) and Martin Damm (four).
Next to the World No. 17 is a third meeting with Struff, which follows the head-to-head series 2-1. Their two most recent competitions were absolute thrillers; Struff dominated in five sets on the 2020 French before Tiafoe de 2023 Stuttgart Final 4-6, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (8) won. Speaking of thrillers, the 144th German German upset Holger Rune 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 on Wednesday evening. This was preceded by a trio of qualifying victories and a four-set defeat of Mackenzie McDonald. Struff is one of the greatest batters in tennis, so he is always dangerous. However, it is difficult to choose Tiafoe during this specific tournament, except when he is confronted with one of the very best players in the world.
Pick: Tiafoe in 4
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