American Stars Shine in U.S. Open Thrillers

Defending champion Coco Gauff and 12th seed Taylor Fritz led a successful day for American players at the U.S. Open, advancing to the third round. Highlights included victories by Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, and Ben Shelton. However, not all Americans progressed, with losses from Taylor Townsend and Iva Jovic.

Defending champion Coco Gauff and 12th seed Taylor Fritz capped a terrific day at Flushing Meadows for home hopes as several Americans advanced to the U.S. Open third round. Gauff overcame initial mistakes to defeat unseeded German Tatjana Maria 6-4 6-0, setting up a meeting with 2019 semi-finalist Elina Svitolina of Ukraine at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"It was a tricky match. I mean, she's not someone that you feel great after playing against," said Gauff. "It was just about execution." Fritz wrapped up the action on Louis Armstrong Stadium with a decisive 6-3 7-6(1) 6-1 victory over Italian Matteo Berrettini and expressed satisfaction with his performance after a nervy first-round match against Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

Big-hitting Frances Tiafoe and former finalist Madison Keys contributed to the American success earlier in the day. Tiafoe, who reached the New York semi-finals in 2022 and was a runner-up in his final tune-up event this year, was in control when Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko retired at 6-4 6-1 1-0. Meanwhile, Keys overcame Australia's Maya Joint 6-4 6-0 in her 13th main-draw appearance, setting up a match with Belgian Elise Mertens.

Wimbledon quarter-finalist Emma Navarro, Peyton Stearns, and Ben Shelton also advanced, with Shelton promising a "popcorn-type match" in his next game. It wasn't all positive for the American contingent, as Taylor Townsend and Iva Jovic were defeated by Spanish 26th seed Paula Badosa and Ekaterina Alexandrova, respectively.

(With inputs from agencies.)