Shelton overcomes Hurkacz at US Open: American advances in quest to end 23-year drought

New York, the Arthur Ashe Stadium night was ablaze. When Hubert Hurkacz sent a forehand long on match point, Ben Shelton collapsed to the court, then rose, arms raised, eyes wide in disbelief. The nearly 24,000 fans roared so loudly that Shelton later admitted: "If I was commentating, I would talk about how loud this crowd was." The 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 victory over the Pole not only advanced Shelton to the third round of the US Open but also reignited hope for American men's tennis – a 23-year drought dating back to Andy Roddick's 2026 triumph. Match context: Shelton, the 8th seed, arrived in New York in red-hot form after winning the Montreal Masters. Hurkacz, one of the tour's most formidable servers, is always a tough opponent on hard courts. From the first set, Shelton capitalized on his opponent's inconsistency. Hurkacz double-faulted in the sixth game, allowing Shelton to break and close the set 6-3. But Hurkacz refused to fade. The second set saw the Pole explode with 15 winners, relentlessly attacking Shelton's forehand. He broke in the final game, winning 7-5 and leveling the match. The pivotal moment came in the third set. Entering the tiebreak, Shelton immediately built a 3-0 lead with deep returns and smart movement. Hurkacz fought back but could not prevent Shelton from taking the set 7-6(3). The fourth set was a nail-biter. Shelton saved two break points in the ninth game, holding his nerve under pressure. In the twelfth game, with Hurkacz serving, Shelton suddenly accelerated, unleashing powerful lefty forehands. The pressure forced Hurkacz into a forehand error on match point, handing victory to the home favorite. Tactical analysis: Shelton holds a significant advantage with his lefty serve and explosive forehand, perfectly suited to the medium-fast Arthur Ashe surface. He consistently targeted Hurkacz's weaknesses – return of serve and movement when pushed wide. However, the win was far from easy. Hurkacz showed his class in the second set, outhitting Shelton in long rallies and capitalizing on his powerful serves. The difference lay in handling pressure in crucial moments. Shelton remained calmer, especially in the tiebreak and the deciding game, where he kept his composure and exploited his opponent's errors. A contrarian view: Despite the victory, Shelton's performance was not entirely convincing. Needing four sets against a player like Hurkacz – strong but not a title favorite – suggests Shelton still has vulnerabilities. He appeared heavily reliant on crowd support. Shelton himself admitted: "The crowd gave me energy." But can he maintain his level on neutral courts or against more aggressive opponents? The answer remains uncertain. Moreover, allowing Hurkacz 15 winners in one set shows Shelton's defense can be breached if opponents find their rhythm. Larger context: The 23-year drought in American men's tennis is an invisible weight on Shelton's shoulders. Since Andy Roddick's US Open title in 2026, no American man has won a Grand Slam. Shelton, with his powerful game and strong personality, is expected to end this drought. But history shows this pressure has crushed many American talents before him. Shelton seems to embrace the challenge with a positive mindset. He said: "I'm super happy with the way the match went. I'm just taking it one match at a time." That calmness is a good sign, but is it enough to survive the grueling rounds ahead? Looking at the draw, Shelton will face increasingly tougher opponents. If he maintains his form, he could meet top players like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz – who are rated far higher. The match against Hurkacz showed Shelton still has a gap to close against the elite. He needs to improve his return game and maintain consistency in long sets. Otherwise, the dream of ending the drought could shatter at any moment. However, Shelton possesses an advantage few American players have: confidence and composure on home soil. He reached the US Open semifinals in 2026, proving his ability to perform under pressure. His lefty serve is a lethal weapon that can trouble any opponent. If he combines power with tactical intelligence, Shelton can certainly spring a surprise. The match against Hurkacz also showed something important: Shelton is not afraid of big servers. He read his opponent's serve rhythm and capitalized on small opportunities to break. This will be valuable when facing players like John Isner or Reilly Opelka in the future. For Hurkacz, this loss is a disappointment. He had moments of brilliance, especially in the second set, but could not sustain his level. The double fault in the first set and the tiebreak collapse are weaknesses he needs to address. Still, Hurkacz remains a top player and will surely come back stronger. For Shelton, the road ahead is long. He must stay focused, take it one match at a time, and not let media pressure affect him. If he does that, he can write his own fairy tale at Flushing Meadows. The 23-year drought could end right on home soil, and Shelton is showing he dares to dream of it. The New York night still echoes with cheers. Shelton walked into the press room with a bright smile, but his eyes gleamed with determination. He knows the win over Hurkacz is just the beginning. Bigger challenges lie ahead, and only those with true grit can overcome them. Is Shelton that person? Time will tell, but for now, American tennis fans have every right to dream of a day, not too far away, when the coveted trophy returns to an American player.