Shelton defeats Shapovalov to tee up Tsitsipas showdown at US Open

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Ben Shelton will take on Stefanos Tsitsipas for a spot in the quarter-finals of the US Open after the home hopeful battled past Denis Shapovalov at Flushing Meadows. 

Shelton, who reached the semi-finals in New York in 2023, edged closer to that stage once again with a hard-fought 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 win in three hours and 21 minutes. 

The eighth seed was, however, put on the back foot after Shapovalov got the better of the American’s serve in the third game before Shelton was able to level things up at 4-4. 

Back-to-back breaks then followed with a tie-break needed to split the two players, and it was Shelton who managed to get himself in front after converting his second set point.

Shelton began the second by getting the better of Shapovalov’s serve, only for the Canadian to hit back as another flurry of breaks at the end of the set forced another tie-break. 

This time, Shapovalov emerged victorious, but Shelton started the third set by reeling off the opening three games as he went within one of advancing to the next round. 

And a break in the opening game of the fourth set was all Shelton needed to confirm his progression, sealing his victory with a love service game.

“That second set was tough,” Shelton said following his win. “I was serving for the set twice and ended up losing the set when I felt like I was in control.

“I really had to reset and refocus. It was important for me to get the next two sets and not be out here in a five-set war. I am happy with the way I recovered.”

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 5, 2026

Shelton’s reward is a clash with Tsitsipas, who kept his hopes of a first grand slam title alive with an impressive comeback victory in four sets against 18th seed Jiri Lehecka. 

Tsitsipas lost the opening set, but was able to turn the match on its head and record a 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 victory in two hours and 32 minutes. 

It will be the first meeting between Shelton and Tsitsipas since the Cincinnati Open in 2023, with the former world number three coming out on top in a straight-sets triumph. 

Frances Tiafoe also kept the dream of being the first American male player to win the US Open since 2003 alive after he comfortably dispatched Valentin Vacherot. 

Tiafoe needed just under two hours to confirm his 6-4 6-2 6-4 win, which sealed a date with 2021 US Open champion and seventh seed Daniil Medvedev in the last 16. 

Shelton survives again but Tsitsipas test awaits

On his way to the last 16, things have not been easy for Shelton, with the American needing four sets in each of his first three matches to progress, but he was once again able to get the job done and continue his quest for grand slam glory.

This was Shelton’s 38th tie-break at ATP level so far in 2026, only trailing Alexander Zverev (40) for the most of any player so far this season, while he recorded his 12th career match win at the US Open. Along with the Australian Open (15) and Canadian Open (14), it is one of the three ATP-level events he has claimed 10+ victories. 

However, he will face another stern test in Tsitsipas, who has reached the round of 16 at the US Open for the first time in his career. In doing so, he became the first Greek male or female player in the Open Era to reach the second week at all four grand slam events.

But don’t count out Tiafoe in the running for the title. Tiafoe (40.9%, 27/66) is one of five players in the Open Era (minimum 50 wins) to have claimed 40+% of their career grand slam match wins at the US Open along with Roscoe Tanner, Jimmy Connors, James Blake and Brad Glibert.

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