American hopes soared at the US Open on Wednesday as Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys secured their places in the third round with impressive wins. The home crowd roared with excitement as both players showcased their skills at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Keys, seeded 14th, dominated her match against Australia’s Maya Joint, winning 6-4, 6-0. She showcased her strong serve and powerful returns, effectively putting pressure on her opponent. After a strong first set, Keys upped her game in the second, securing the victory in just 62 minutes.
Tiafoe, who reached the semifinals in New York last year and was a finalist in his last tune-up event, was equally dominant in his match. He was leading 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 when his opponent, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko, was forced to retire due to injury. Despite the unconventional win, Tiafoe felt confident in his performance. “Happy to get it done. Hate to win it that way but overall I thought I actually played pretty well today,” he said. He now faces his fellow American, Ben Shelton, who thrilled the crowd with his own impressive win against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. Shelton, who eliminated Tiafoe in straight sets during their quarterfinal clash last year, is excited for their rematch, promising a “popcorn-type match.”
While the American contingent experienced success on Wednesday, not all players advanced. Taylor Townsend, an unseeded American player, fell to Spanish 26th seed Paula Badosa 6-3, 7-5.
The excitement continues with other American stars in action. Defending champion and third seed Coco Gauff will open the night session on Ashe against unseeded German Tatjana Maria. Meanwhile, world number 12 Taylor Fritz, the highest-ranked American in the men’s draw, will face Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
With a mix of exciting victories and nail-biting matches, the US Open continues to deliver thrilling tennis action. The American players, fueled by the home crowd, are determined to make their mark on the tournament.
