Following a remarkably successful season for American tennis, there was a surge of anticipation leading into this year’s final major event. With four different American women having made it to the finals of the previous four majors and multiple American men achieving significant milestones throughout the summer, the US Open appeared poised for a historic showcase.
However, things have not unfolded as anticipated. Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion and sixth seed, suffered a shocking defeat to Renata Zarazua on just the tournament’s second day. On the same day, No. 6 seed Ben Shelton, fresh off a Canadian Open win, withdrew due to a shoulder injury in the third round, while two-time semifinalist Frances Tiafoe, seeded 17th, lost in straight sets to Jan-Lennard Struff. By the end of the Round of 32, No. 10 seed Emma Navarro and No. 14 seed Tommy Paul were also eliminated.
Despite these unexpected early losses, six American players remain in the draw. Coco Gauff recently won her first singles title at the US Open in 2023, while Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz made it to the finals last year. All of these players have successfully advanced to the second week of the tournament.
It’s notable that no American man has claimed a major title since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003. The question now is whether Fritz, the sole American man left, can break this streak. Fans are equally eager to see if one of the five remaining women can extend the country’s successful run.
No. 3 Coco Gauff
Gauff has triumphed over Ajla Tomljanovic, Donna Vekic, and No. 28 Magdalena Frech to reach this stage. Next, she’ll face No. 23 Naomi Osaka. The 21-year-old has had a rollercoaster tournament, grappling with new serving mechanics after changing coaches just days before the tournament began. After a difficult start, she found form against Frech, winning decisively 6-3, 6-1. Gauff expressed relief after her match, acknowledging the emotional strain of the past week and asserting her focus on enjoying the process rather than fixating on results.
No. 4 Taylor Fritz
Fritz has defeated Emilio Nava, Lloyd Harris, and Jerome Kym so far. He’s set to play No. 21 Tomas Machac next. As a prominent figure in American men’s tennis, Fritz aims to end the long title drought. Despite facing challenges in his recent matches, he has managed to stay afloat and drew motivation from setbacks to push through. He emphasizes the necessity to maintain focus and composure, particularly against tougher opponents ahead.
No. 4 Jessica Pegula
Pegula has emerged victorious against Mayar Sherif, Anna Blinkova, and Victoria Azarenka. She will next go up against American Ann Li. After reaching her first major final last year in New York, hopes were high for Pegula, who faced tough losses in the previous three majors this season. Yet, she has revived her form, not dropping a single set in the tournament so far and displaying resilience in her latest match against Azarenka.
No. 8 Amanda Anisimova
Having won against Kimberly Birrell, Maya Joint, and Jaqueline Cristian, Anisimova will take on No. 18 Beatriz Haddad Maia next. This season has marked a significant comeback for Anisimova, who has battled personal setbacks. After winning her first major title earlier this year and reaching the Wimbledon final, she now aims to further solidify her return by reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open for the first time.
Taylor Townsend’s Stunning Performance
Townsend, currently a top doubles player, has made waves in the singles competition, defeating notable players including Jelena Ostapenko and Mirra Andreeva. Following her impressive victories, Townsend mentioned the importance of representation and being true to oneself. She prepares to play Barbora Krejcikova next, aiming for her first major quarterfinal appearance. Townsend’s journey is a testament to her resilience and the support she has received from fans throughout the tournament.
