The US Open kicked off on August 27, 2023, with American players Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz showcasing impressive performances in the first round. The tournament marked a historic moment, being the first time it commenced on a Sunday. Shelton, who was the opening act at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the second consecutive year, cruised to victory against qualifier Ignacio Buse, winning with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
In his post-match interview, Shelton expressed his growing connection to the venue, saying, “It’s starting to feel like home for me. This is the best court in tennis, my favorite place to play, favorite tournament.” This sentiment reflects Shelton’s rapid rise in the sport, especially following his recent triumph at the Masters 1000 event in Toronto.
Fritz also advanced to the second round with a solid win against fellow American Emilio Nava, finishing the match 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 at Louis Armstrong Stadium. With Fritz seeded No. 4, this marks a notable achievement as it is the first major tournament since the 2007 US Open featuring two American men seeded in the top eight, a testament to the resurgence of American talent in men’s tennis.
The tournament’s early rounds have seen both players in good form. Shelton, now 22, is coming off his first Masters 1000 title, where he became the first American champion of the event since Andy Roddick in 2003. During his run in Toronto, Shelton secured three deciding-set tiebreaks, the most by any player en route to a Masters 1000 title.
Shelton’s performance against Buse was marked by his resilience, as he saved all five break points he faced, finishing the match with only five aces—the fewest in any major match win of his career. Since the beginning of 2024, he has maintained a perfect record against unseeded opponents in Grand Slam events, winning 21 matches, the second-most in that timeframe behind Jannik Sinner.
Fritz’s recent form has been equally impressive. He has won 22 of his last 27 matches since the conclusion of the French Open, leading the men’s tour in victories during that period. This strong performance places him in a favorable position as he looks to advance further in the tournament.
Both Shelton and Fritz will have a break before their second-round matches scheduled for Wednesday. Shelton is set to face either Pablo Carreno Busta or Pablo Llamas Ruiz, while Fritz awaits the winner of the match between Sebastian Baez and Lloyd Harris.
In additional results from the opening day, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, seeded 18th, delivered a dominant performance against Russian Alexander Shevchenko, winning 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. Meanwhile, Czech player Jakub Mensik, the 19-year-old No. 16 seed, advanced past Chile’s Nicolas Jarry with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-4. Other notable matches included Italy’s Luciano Darderi, seeded 32nd, who defeated Australia’s Rinky Hijikata in straight sets, and Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, who overcame Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in four sets.
As the tournament progresses, the performance of players like Shelton and Fritz will be crucial in shaping the narrative of this year’s US Open, with fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches.
