Ben Shelton’s journey at the US Open ended in tears on Friday as he withdrew mid-match due to a shoulder injury he described as the “worst pain” he’s ever felt. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic overcame his own physical challenges to secure a spot in the fourth round.
Shelton, recent Canadian Open champion, was engaged in an exciting match against Adrian Mannarino on Louis Armstrong Stadium when his tournament hopes crumbled.
“I did something to my shoulder, I’m not sure what. The pain is intense,” the American sixth seed told his father and coach Bryan during a medical timeout. As the left-handed Mannarino leveled the match at two sets each, a heartbroken Shelton wiped away tears before withdrawing, leaving spectators at Louis Armstrong Stadium in shock.
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Elsewhere, Shelton’s fellow American, 17th seed Frances Tiafoe, fell 6-4 6-3 7-6(7) to Germany’s powerful server Jan-Lennard Struff at the Grandstand. In another upset, 10th seed Emma Navarro lost 4-6 6-4 6-4 to unseeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova.
While the younger players dealt with injuries, 38-year-old Djokovic was making history under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Serbian player overcame a lower back issue to defeat Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-7(4) 6-2 6-3, eliminating the last Briton in the men’s draw and becoming the oldest player to reach the last 16 at Flushing Meadows since Jimmy Connors in 1991.
The four-time US Open champion also surpassed Roger Federer for the most hardcourt wins at majors with his 192nd victory, edging closer to a record 25th Grand Slam title.
“I’m feeling great, as youthful and strong as ever,” said Djokovic after his resilient win.
Earlier, 2021 champion Emma Raducanu lost 6-1 6-2 to Elena Rybakina at the same stadium that saw Shelton’s struggle, ending British hopes in the women’s draw with precision from the Kazakh player.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a scare with his knee, defeating Italian Luciano Darderi 6-2 6-4 6-0.
“It happened during the last point of the game where he broke my serve. I felt something in my knee,” said Alcaraz, who took a medical timeout as a precaution but eased concerns with a dominant performance.
“It bothered me, but after five or six points, it was fine. I was worried, so I called for the physio. Fortunately, it was nothing serious.”
Defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-3 7-6(2), avenging her 2021 US Open semi-final loss to the Canadian.
“I wanted this revenge badly,” said Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion. “I’m thrilled with the win.”
In the women’s draw, fourth seed Jessica Pegula advanced with a 6-1 7-5 win over two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, joining former Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova in the fourth round, who beat Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 7-6(4) 6-1.
Unseeded American Taylor Townsend also made it to the last 16, defeating fifth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-5 6-2 in a significant upset.
Despite his disappointment, Shelton remained positive when addressing the media.
“I’ve been blessed with many things in life: talents, opportunities, and support,” he said.
“You won’t hear me complaining about setbacks after the summer I’ve had and the achievements I’ve made in this sport in such a short time, thanks to the people around me.”
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz lifted some of the American spirits with a determined 7-6(3) 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4 victory over Switzerland’s Jerome Kym, becoming the only American man left in the last 16.
He might be joined by 14th seed Tommy Paul, who is set to play Alexander Bublik on Saturday.
