20-year wait ends: Four US men reach Round of 16 in consecutive Grand Slams
ATP
After the conclusion of the third round at the Australian Open, it was confirmed that for the second consecutive major, there will be four American men in the second week of the tournament, something that hasn’t happened in over 20 years. The resurgence of American men's tennis has been evident in major tournaments.
There are now four American players in the top 20, led by Taylor Fritz at World No. 4, and a total of eight in the top 50. Additionally, several young players are quickly making a name for themselves, including Alex Michelsen (20), Nishesh Basavareddy (19), and Learner Tien (19).
At the 2023 US Open, four Americans made it to the Round of 16: Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, and Brandon Nakashima, with Fritz having the best run, reaching the final.
This time at the Australian Open, only Paul repeated in the Round of 16, but new faces from the next generation have joined him: Ben Shelton, Alex Michelsen, and Learner Tien have all made it to the last 16.
The last time something similar happened was 21 years ago at the 2003 US Open and 2004 Australian Open. In Flushing Meadows, Andre Agassi, Taylor Dent, Todd Martin, and Andy Roddick made it to the Round of 16, with Roddick going on to win the title.
A few months later in Melbourne, Roddick, Agassi, James Blake, and Robby Ginepri made it to the fourth round, with Agassi reaching the semifinals (where he lost to Marat Safin).
In the top half of the draw, three Americans remain. Alex Michelsen will face local 8th seed Alex de Minaur for a spot in the quarterfinals. Ben Shelton will face Gael Monfils, and Learner Tien will take on Lorenzo Sonego. If both Americans win, they could face each other in a hypothetical quarterfinal matchup.
In the bottom half, 12th seed Tommy Paul will face a resurging Alejandro Davidovich Fokina as he looks to reach the quarterfinals in Melbourne.
First time in the fourth round of a Grand Slam and sealing it in straight sets 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-2 👏👏
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2025
Clinical, Michelsen! @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/Bd6ZMARULy
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Why the discount?? According to ATP Rulebook 2025 he easily committed $180k or more worth of offenses.
mandoist18-01-2025 - Are there not already enough media rags covering these trysts in tennis?mandoist16-01-2025
- Gauff is somewhat delusional.mandoist16-01-2025
- I, and many, remain concerned about Rybakina's well being. She does not look, nor act, well.mandoist16-01-2025
- That was a hideous display. Condescending Collins is no friend to tennis. She said she was retiring and should follow through. Sooner the better for the sport. BTW: As I read it in the WTA Rulebook 2025, it seems she broke at least two regulations in her post-match childish behavior. BTW: There are reasons she has no sponsors... and she displayed several of those reasons today.mandoist16-01-2025
- Lena still does not look well. If she plays like she did against the 17 year-old American last night, the next will be her last AO match.mandoist16-01-2025
- Ummm... we all watched the match. Anisimova was beating the net to death.mandoist16-01-2025
- Danielle Collins is so ignorant, until it is a shame. That is the reason why she cannot have kids. She doesn't deserve any.crissy12-01-2025
- "Attacked"?? Really?mandoist11-01-2025
- Dior products don't look right in Emma's used Dacia Sanderomandoist11-01-2025
