US Open 2026: American duo Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton reach quarterfinals

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Home favourite Frances Tiafoe secured a place in the US Open quarterfinals after beating 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev in a highly anticipated clash on Sunday.

Backed by a vocal home crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Tiafoe reached the last eight in New York for the fourth time while securing a tour-leading 25th hard-court victory of the season with a 7-6(1), 6-4, 7-6(6) win.

“What a match. Daniil has been so good, and he has beaten me so many times. This is the first time I have beaten him in a regular match, so I am super pumped up about it,” Tiafoe said after the match.

The two-time US Open semifinalist, who is chasing his maiden Grand Slam crown, had lost six of his previous seven encounters against Medvedev.

However, Tiafoe started well and looked more dynamic throughout the nearly three-hour match, extending his flawless career record at Louis Armstrong Stadium to 10-0. He now moves on to face fellow American Alex Michelsen in the quarterfinals.

“It has been amazing playing on this court, the energy, man. It is like the people’s court. I am loving the energy for sure,” Tiafoe said after the win

Tiafoe arrived in Flushing Meadows following a run to the Cincinnati Open final, where he lost to Arthur Fils in three sets. In New York, he has won three consecutive straight-sets wins after surviving a tough five-setter against Martin Damm in his opener.

Ben Shelton sets up quarterfinal clash with Carlos Alcaraz

Elsewhere in the draw, Ben Shelton earned a quarterfinal showdown against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz by sweeping past former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.

Having needed four sets in each of his previous wins over Tallon Griekspoor, Hubert Hurkacz, and Denis Shapovalov, Shelton produced his most dominant performance yet on Arthur Ashe Stadium to beat the two-time Grand Slam finalist in just one hour and 51 minutes.

The 23-year-old American has now reached his sixth Grand Slam quarterfinal overall and his second in Flushing Meadows following a semifinal run in 2023. Though Alcaraz has won all three of their prior encounters, the pair have not crossed paths since last year’s French Open.

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