WHAT HAPPENED: Intergenerational clashes are a strong storyline at the 2023 US Open and one of the most compelling chapters was to unfold in Louis Armstrong Stadium on Day 3: Dominic Thiem, age 29, taking on up-and-coming American powerhouse Ben Shelton, age 20.
A thrilling first set started the story—and had Shelton besting Thiem in a tiebreak, 7-6(1). But the Austrian’s failure to win more than a single point in the tiebreak might have been triggered by an as-yet unconfirmed physical ailment: Thiem would retire after the first game of the second set—which Shelton won—just 67 minutes into the match.
Thiem, who has been ranked as high as No. 3 in the world, hoisted the men’s singles trophy at the 2020 US Open. But injuries have plagued him for years. He would go on to play a quarterfinal match at the 2021 Australian Open—but not notch another win at any Grand Slam until two days ago. In Round 1, and seemingly in fine form, he beat No. 25 seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in straight sets.
Despite his opponent’s ailments, Shelton can take pride in both his stellar play, featuring seven aces, and show of maturity on American tennis’ biggest stage. The Atlanta native is the youngest American man in the Top 50 of the ATP Rankings, currently sitting at No. 47. He posted his first US Open win on the tournament’s opening day, defeating Argentina's Pedro Cachin in four sets.
WHAT IT MEANS: Shelton's quarter of the draw opened up significantly after the opening-round defeat of No. 4 seed Holger Rune to Roberto Carballes Baena. Instead, the American will play his Round 3 match against world No. 77 Aslan Karatsev, who defeated Carballes Baena earlier in the day in a thrilling 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) battle.
MATCH POINT: Shelton fans have even more to look forward to: He partners with fellow American Christopher Eubanks for a Round 1 match against the top-seeded men’s doubles team, Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski.
