In the opening match at the Stadium, Ben Shelton won his first-round match in straight sets, followed by Coco Gauff winning in the exact same first round.
Ash with the Stars and Stripes on Monday afternoon.
“Yeah, I think it's really cool,” Shelton said after his 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Dominic Thiem. “Obviously, it wasn't just me. I was playing a former champion. [playing] Last game here [U.S.] open.”
The 30-year-old Austrian, who won the 2020 French Open when spectators were banned due to the coronavirus pandemic, will retire at the end of the year after a glittering career that once saw him reach the world number three ranking.
But let's be serious: Thiem might have been your average opponent here, with the 21-year-old Shelton starring as him, stoking excitement at Queens with a semifinal appearance a year ago, before Novak Djokovic cut his cell service.
“But I think it's obviously really special for Coco,” Shelton said with a smile. “It's really special for Coco.”
Gauff became the center of attention last year when, at age 19, she became the youngest women's singles champion since Serena Williams was 17. Nothing has changed: Now 20, Gauff's name is on the marquee above the title.
She was then asked if it was really cool to start Ash with Shelton, and Shelton's answer was referenced in the question.
“Not really,” Gauff joked. “He started and I just followed him.”
“No, any time you get the chance to play Ashe it’s a great experience,” she said, serious. “I remember, I think it was two years ago when I first won on the court.
“I remember the first time I played on this court, I think it was against Naomi. [Osaka] In the evening session [in 2019]And when I think about how much I've grown since that moment, to be able to play on this court all day and all night is incredible.
“Obviously, I think the evening session will be more intense,” she said, “but it means a lot to open up the court and have two Americans, two young players, performing.”
“Yes, it's a great honour.”
American women are not without Grand Slam titles: Serena Williams won her 23rd and final Grand Slam title at the 2017 Australian Open, Sloane Stephens won the Australian Open in September of that year, Sofia Kenin won the 2020 Australian Open before Gauff won last year.
It's a different story on the men's side: it's been 21 years since Andy Roddick won the British Open in 2003. An American hasn't reached a Grand Slam final since Wimbledon in 2009, when Roddick lost 14-16 in the fifth set to Roger Federer.
Shelton, seeded 13th, is one of five Americans ranked in the top 20. Taylor Fritz, seeded 12th, beat Camilo Hugo Caravelli in straight sets at Armstrong. Tommy Paul is seeded 14th, Sebastian Korda is seeded 16th and Francis Tiafoe, who reached the semifinals two years ago before losing a five-set tussle to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz, is seeded 20th.
They are presented as the Young Americans. But Paul is 27, not that young. Tiafoe and Fritz are 26, not that young. Korda is 24, quite young.
The best player in the world, Jannik Sinner? He's 23. Alcaraz? He's 21.
They are young.
So was Shelton, a player about five years older than most of his peers, who was powerful on Monday, winning 24 of 28 points at the net, hitting 74% of his first serves, winning 91% of his first-serve points and facing (and saving) just one break point.
“I felt like I started well, I had no complaints at all,” he said. “I thought my serve was very good today and I controlled the match well with my forehand. It was the best forehand I've had in a while.”
Shelton reached the third round in both Australia and Roland Garros and the fourth round at Wimbledon. He beat Tiafoe on the clay courts of Houston in April to win his second title on the tour. After gaining a foothold with a semi-final appearance last year, the engaging, charismatic left-hander has no plans to look back.
“These days, I don't feel as nervous when I step on the court,” he said. “I don't think I've been on such a big stage since last year.”
There are no small stages at the British Open, only potential small stage contenders, and if Shelton is scheduled to play on the outside courts for his hypothetical fourth-round matchup with Djokovic, the Atlanta native won't be much of a challenge against anyone.
“[It’s] “It's a dream come true to be here again this year in this situation, but it doesn't matter which court I play on at the U.S. Open,” he said. “Whether I start on Court 10, 12 or 16, I'm going to go out there and compete.
“Whatever happens, I think it's going to be a great atmosphere.”
