WHAT HAPPENED: American Frances Tiafoe advanced to Round 3 of the 2024 US Open after Alexander Shevchenko from Kazakhstan retired in their second round match in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Shevchenko, ranked No. 61, received a medical timeout midway through the second set, then retired after being broken after the first game of the third set. Final score to Tiafoe, 6-4, 6-1,1-0.
Even after just 73 minutes on court, Tiafoe, the No. 20 seed, managed to impress. Before Shevchenko retired, the 26-year-old American sizzled at the net, forcing his opponent to find ways to pass the 6-foot-2 “Big Foe.”
For his part, the 23-year-old Kazakhstani showed off skills of his own, including a driving forehand. But he looked rattled at the end of the first set, serving at 4-5. He donated two unforced errors and a double fault to lose the game. The first set went to Tiafoe, 6-4.
Midway through the second set, Shevchenko called for a medical time out and a trainer went to work on his left knee. Shevchenko wouldn’t win another game in that set, which Tiafoe took, 6-1.
Interestingly, Shevchenko didn’t use the break between the second and third sets to seek further medical attention. Nor did he appear to administer ice or cold towels. It was Tiafoe who took time off court and changed into a fresh (lavender) shirt, his fifth of the match.
Shevchenko attempted to resume play at the top of the third set, but after he lost his serve, he conceded the match.
WHAT IT MEANS: At the 2023 US Open, Tiafoe lost to an unseeded Ben Shelton in a tight, quarterfinal match. This year, that all-American contest could come in the next round, if Shelton, now seeded 13, beats Roberto Bautista Agut. After that, Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, looms, should he advance. This is Tiafoe’s fifth consecutive year of reaching Round 3 US Open play.
MATCH POINT: A little over a month ago, Tiafoe added a new coach to his team—David Witt, who has coached both Jessica Pegula and Venus Williams. Since then, the American has had some stellar results, advancing to a semifinal match in Washington, D.C., which he considers his home court (he grew up in Maryland).
Next up was Cincinnati, where Tiafoe posted wins over Lorenzo Musetti, Hubert Hurkacz and Holger Rune. It took world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to end that run in the final, just a week ago.
Is Witt a reason why this talented American is back in the Top 20?
“David hasn’t done anything at all,” teased Tiafoe after his Round 1 win. Then, with a big smile, added: “It’s been great. We’ve had so much fun every day.”
