(New York) Ben Shelton made sure there was at least one American in the quarterfinals at the US Open.
The 20-year-old had 16 aces en route to a 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over compatriot Tommy Paul on Sunday.
Paul had defeated Shelton in four sets at the Australian Open this year, in the quarter-finals. Shelton prevailed 36-25 in game winners.
Two of his serves reached 239 kilometers per hour.
“I think it was pure adrenaline,” Shelton told the crowd after the game at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was just in that kind of atmosphere that I could do it. »
Shelton was the 2022 NCAA champion, with the University of Florida.
His next opponent will be his compatriot Frances Tiafoe, 10e seeded, or the Australian Rinky Hijikata.
Another American player, Taylor Fritz, faces a Swiss coming from the qualifications, Dominic Stricker.
Among the women, Karolina Muchova reached the quarter-finals by winning 6-3, 5-7 and 6-1 ahead of Wang Xinyu.
This is the longest New York course for the Czech, 10e first in the series.
PHOTO KENA BETANCUR, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Karolina Muchova
Muchova made it to the final at Roland-Garros three months ago, losing in three sets against Iga Swiatek.
Muchova also reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2021.
She had 32 game winners, offsetting 37 unforced errors. Her rival made 42 unprovoked errors.
“I was faithful to my game, with several brush strokes to change the rhythm, said Muchova, to the public of Louis Armstrong Stadium. That was the key. »
Her next rival will be Sorana Cirstea, who edged out Belinda Bencic 6-3, 6-3.
Sixth-seeded American Coco Gauff plays Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki.
In the evening, the champion of 23 major tournaments Novak Djokovic will face Borna Gojo of Croatia before a duel pitting the favorite Swiatek against the 20e seeded Jelena Ostapenko.
