US Open: Shelton and Tiafoe Exit, Leaving American Hopes Dimmed

It was a punishing Friday afternoon for American men’s tennis as Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe were bundled out of the US Open less than an hour apart, leaving only Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul still standing in the singles draw.

Shelton, the No 6 seed and one of the leading contenders to end the United States’ 22-year wait for a men’s grand slam champion, was forced to retire from his third-round match against France’s Adrian Mannarino with a shoulder injury. it was the 22-year-old’s frist career retirement, coming as he led by two sets to one before disaster struck late in the third.

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After landing heavily on his left arm while stretching for a ball,Shelton grimaced and told his father and coach,Bryan: “I did something to my shoulder. I don’t know what it is indeed.” He later admitted the pain was “really high” and said: “I’ve never retired before. I’m not a guy who would retire if I could continue.” Despite a mid-set visit from the physio and a tactical switch that saw him attempt 13 serve-and-volley plays in the fourth set alone, he could not protect his advantage. Mannarino leveled the contest and, as the crowd braced for a decider, Shelton bowed his head on the changeover and called it off. The frenchman advanced 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, ret.

Shelton left Louis Armstrong Stadium with his shoulder wrapped in ice, a towel over his head and fighting back tears. Still, he struck a philosophical tone: “I was playing real