Shelton & Fritz bid to end 22-year wait for home men’s singles champion

US Open 2025

Dates: August 24 through September 7 in Flushing Meadows, New York

With his US Open triumph in 2003, Andy Roddick became the last American player to capture a major singles title.

Fritz, who reached the championship match last year in Flushing Meadows, is the first American man to do so in 15 years. He has also been at the forefront of the drought.

Emilio Nava, who is seeded fourth in New York this year, defeated Fritz 7-5, 6-2, 6-3, while Shelton, who is sixth seeded, defeated Grand Slam debutant Ignacio Buse, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Two American men have been seeded in the top eight for the first time since the 2007 US Open.

In terms of American tennis, Fritz said, “We’re in a great position.”

Shelton won the tournament’s inaugural game against the renowned Arthur Ashe show court, taking just over two hours to complete the victory.

The former semi-finalist is in strong form, having earlier this month won the Canadian Open’s first ATP Masters 1000 title.

Shelton remarked, “The US Open is the pinnacle of tennis for me and what I dreamed about as a child.”

For me, it is starting to feel like home.

Shelton and Fritz could potentially face off in the final four of New York after Shelton defeated Fritz in the semi-finals in Toronto.

Shelton, 22, remained cautious when questioned about his potential success at this year’s tournament.

He said, “For me, it is one day at a time, because once you start looking ahead of yourself you stumble over your own feet.”

“I’m looking forward to it because we’re here for the long haul.”

Fritz has also performed well in recent months, surpassing Jannik Sinner, who was competing for the title last year.

He won grass-court titles at Eastbourne and Stuttgart, which indicate that he can advance to the year’s final Grand Slam, where he reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon and won them both.

As play began on Sunday, teen sensation Jakub Mensik put forth a 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-4 victory over Nicolas Jarry from Chile.

Novak Djokovic defeated Mensik in the Miami Open final to claim his first ATP Tour title in March, and he has twice advanced to New York’s third round.

After beating Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7) 6-2, qualifier Ugo Blanchet will take him on the next match.