#NextGenATP American Ben Shelton continued to light up the US Open on Friday when he soared past Aslan Karatsev to reach the fourth round in New York for the first time.
The 20-year-old, who fell in the first round on debut at the hard-court major last year, fired his lefty serve with power and precision to overcome Karatsev 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0. He struck 26 aces, including one registered at 147mph, the fastest serve of the tournament, to advance after two hours and 20 minutes.
“I am really pleased with my performance today,” said Shelton, who won 86 per cent of his first-serve points. “Happy with the way I served. I think it was one of my best serving days ever. I think I had the most aces I have had in a match and it was the day after John Isner played his last match, it is kind of weird. Maybe he left some of his serving magic out for me, so thanks Johnny.”
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Shelton will aim to reach his second major quarter-final when he meets countryman Tommy Paul in the fourth round. The 20-year-old advanced to the last eight at the Australian Open earlier this year when he lost to Paul in four sets.
“I am proud to be an American. This is the greatest atmopshere in tennis, so being an American here is unmatched and I appreciate you guys support,” Shelton said when addressing the crowd.
Widely regarded as one of the United States’ brightest prospects, Shelton is up 11 spots to No. 36 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. He reached a career-high No. 35 in May.
The 20-year-old is also aiming to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals for the first time. Shelton is currently fifth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Next Gen Race To Jeddah (915 points).
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#NextGenATP star Dominic Stricker also advanced, surviving Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2 to reach the fourth round at a major for the first time.
The 21-year-old had only earned one main draw win at a Slam before this week (Wimbledon 2023), but has looked strong on the hard courts in New York, where he fired 60 winners and converted 32 of 48 net points to escape Bonzi.
“I’m just so happy. Today I increased the level again in the fifth set, I really played a great one. I’m super happy and I don’t know what to say at the moment,” said Stricker in disbelief after winning a second consecutive five-setter.
After advancing through qualifying, the Swiss defeated Alexei Popyrin before he earned the biggest win of his career against World No. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas. The lefty will next face ninth seed Taylor Fritz or Jakub Mensik after overcoming Bonzi in three hours, 27 minutes.
Stricker has climbed to No. 86 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, guaranteeing him a Top 100 debut following the American slam. He is also seventh in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Jeddah as he aims to make his second appearance at the Next Gen ATP Finals.