Did the US Open just throw a curveball? American tennis hopes took a hit as Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe faced unexpected exits in the third round. One fell to injury, the other in a tough battle. What do these upsets mean for the rest of the tournament and the American challenge?

The landscape of American men’s tennis at the US Open 2025 shifted dramatically on Friday, as two of the nation’s most promising seeded players, Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, were unexpectedly ousted in the third round. This double setback has significantly diminished the host nation’s aspirations for a deep run in the tournament.

Ben Shelton, seeded No. 6 and entering the US Open with considerable positive momentum following a recent title win, was the first American casualty. His promising run was cut short under unfortunate circumstances during his match against Adrian Mannarino, where an injury ultimately forced his withdrawal.

Shelton’s challenge became evident during the fourth set when he required a medical timeout for a shoulder issue. Despite winning the subsequent game, the persistent injury eventually compelled him to medically retire before the conclusion of the decisive fifth set. This premature exit is a tough blow for the young talent in this major “Grand Slam Tennis” event.

Frances Tiafoe, seeded No. 17, faced a different narrative for his exit, succumbing in straight sets to Jan-Lennard Struff. Unlike Shelton’s injury-related departure, Tiafoe’s loss was a direct result of being outplayed on the court, marking another significant “US Open 2025” upset.

Struff dominated the early proceedings, securing the first two sets with relative ease. Although Tiafoe briefly mounted a challenge in the third set, taking advantage of a momentary lapse by Struff, the German veteran ultimately clinched the match in a tense tiebreak, sealing a notable “Tennis Upsets” victory.

This defeat compounds what has been a challenging season for Tiafoe on the “ATP Tour.” His performance at this year’s Grand Slams and ATP 1000 events has been inconsistent, with early exits in the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and failing to progress past the fourth round in any major tournament.

With both Shelton and Tiafoe out, the hopes for an American man to advance deep into the US Open now largely rest on the shoulders of No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz. His upcoming match becomes crucial in maintaining the national presence in the men’s singles draw.

Fritz, considered a strong contender, is now the primary focus for American tennis fans, carrying the weight of expectation as the tournament progresses. His performance will dictate the narrative for the remaining American challenge.