Ten Americans Advance to Round of 16 Despite High-Profile Exits at U.S. Open

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina during their Men’s Singles Third Round match on Day Seven of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Getty Images

After a grueling Saturday at the U.S. Open, ten American men and women have successfully navigated their way into the Round of 16. This strong collective showing represents the largest contingent of Americans in any major tournament since eleven players (four men and seven women) advanced at the 2002 U.S. Open.

The five U.S. men who reached the fourth round—No. 8 Ben Shelton, No. 11 Frances Tiafoe, No. 14 Learner Tien, No. 20 Tommy Paul, and Alex Michelsen—mark the largest group of American men in the round of 16 since eight did so in 1995. It remains a stark fact that an American man has not won a major championship since Andy Roddick’s victory at the 2003 U.S. Open.

Taylor Fritz, the No. 2-ranked American and a 2024 finalist, will not join his countrymen in the next round. Fritz suffered a stunning collapse, surrendering a two-sets-to-love lead to No. 21 Francisco Cerúndolo of Argentina, ultimately losing 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The defeat was particularly shocking given that Fritz had not dropped a single set leading into the third round.

When asked if his disappointment level was “pretty high,” Fritz expressed deep frustration, saying: “I mean yeah. I don’t even know what to say. I don’t really want to talk to anybody, see anybody. I kind of just need to get out for a couple days and get back to work. I don’t know how I let that happen today.”

In the men’s draw, former Columbia University standout Michael Zheng also fell, losing in five sets to lucky loser Arthur Gea of France, 7-6, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Zheng, a two-time NCAA Singles champion, drew enthusiastic crowds of Columbia supporters to his matches in New York. His run marked a third-round appearance at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, capping a spectacular summer for the college star.

Meanwhile, No. 14 Learner Tien secured a spot in his first career Round of 16 at the Open, defeating No. 17 Jakub Mensik in a five-set battle, 6-3, 1-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

On the women’s side, two American hopefuls were eliminated on Saturday. No. 10 Amanda Anisimova, a finalist at last year’s home Slam, was thoroughly dominated by Anastasia Potapova of Belgium, 6-2, 7-5. Meanwhile, No. 22 Madison Keys blew a commanding 5-0 lead in the third set before falling to former Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng, 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5.

“I feel like I got off to a really good lead and then I just got really scared,” Keys said, candidly admitting she is currently battling mental health issues. “I felt like I couldn’t swing. Tennis just feels really hard right now. I feel like that kind of took over.”

She added:

“I think my level dropped and she started to play better.”

“I just feel like I’ve kind of been struggling for a while now and I feel like I was able to play through it for a bit. I’m sure everyone could kind of see that I was struggling a bit. Inside it’s felt probably even bigger than that. Some weeks are easier than others. This week is obviously one of the harder ones just because you care so much. I’m gonna have to make some sort of changes.”

She continued:

“I think it’s been something that’s been building for a while. I just kind of keep pushing it off and pushing it off because that’s how the tennis world works. It’s just to the point where I actually need to do something about it.”

Despite these setbacks, No. 4 seed Coco Gauff, the 2023 U.S. Open champion and a strong favorite to win the title again, advanced safely. She defeated Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4 and is set to face fellow American Iva Jovic in the fourth round on Monday.

No. 14 Jovic delivered a standout performance, eliminating Filipino star Alex Eala, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, in a highly competitive match in Arthur Ashe Stadium. At just 18 years old, Jovic became the youngest American woman to reach the fourth round at three majors in a single year since Venus Williams achieved the feat in 1998.

Looking ahead to Sunday, several Americans will be in action. Taylor Townsend is scheduled to face two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the day session on Arthur Ashe, followed by Tommy Paul taking on defending champion and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.

During the night session on Ashe, Ben Shelton will face a resurgent Stefanos Tsitsipas, followed by No. 26 Emma Navarro against No. 21 Anna Kalinskaya.

On Louis Armstrong, Frances Tiafoe—known for his vibrant play on that court—will attempt to continue his run against former U.S. Open champion and No. 7 Daniil Medvedev. That match will be followed by No. 3 Jessica Pegula taking on No. 16 Sorana Cîrstea of Romania.

On the Grandstand, Alex Michelsen will face Argentina’s Tomás Etcheverry. Etcheverry made headlines by defeating 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in the first round, and followed it up with a strong victory over former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.

Source link