New York City, UNITED STATES – The second round at the US Open offered two very different days of conditions: Wednesday it was intense heat, with temperatures topping 90 Fahrenheit on a stifling, humid day. Thursday? An overcast, cool atmosphere had moved in - sweaters could be seen in the stands among the crowd.

 

But Team Yonex players weathered whatever they faced: Heat, cool, humidity, wind. This is the final major of the year, and the Labor Day weekend approaching also means the middle rounds of the US Open... with spots looming in the coveted second week.

 

American Friends Become Foes - A Second Year in a Row

 

A repeat of last year's quarterfinal showdown is set to take place in the third round this year. Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe (both USA) won their second-round matches with relative ease, and now their paths will intersect once again.

 

Shelton defeated former world No. 9 Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in front of a spirited and packed crowd on Grandstand. The 22-year-old fired 17 aces past Spain’s solid ground-stroker and didn't hesitate to close the net, winning 21 of 28 points there.

 

Tiafoe, on the other hand, led 6-4, 6-1 when his opponent Alexander Shevchenko retired from the match early in the third set. 

 

A year after their quarter-final clash, the two friends expressed excitement about facing each other at the US Open for the second consecutive year. Shelton won that encounter, and is 2-0 vs. Tiafoe, having claimed the Houston final over him in April, as well.

 

“I'm excited," Shelton told reporters. "These are the type of matches that I love, that I live for.  Being able to do it a little bit earlier in this draw, it still feels the same. Still feels like a huge match and one that I'm really excited for." 

 

“[Frances] can win a lot of the cat-and-mouse points at the net, and he does a great job flying in when he has you out of position and finishing off volleys. I think when he's playing his best tennis he's doing that a lot.”

 

While Shelton praised Tiafoe's versatile and athletic play, Tiafoe acknowledged Shelton's power.

 

"Obviously, his serve... he's got one of the better serves on the tour, no question," the elder American said. "Especially [Shelton being] a lefty, he hits all the spots, changes pace quite well. It's going to be tough, but I’m super excited."

 

In addition to these two, Tommy Paul (USA) also advanced to the third round after Max Purcell retired midway through the third set. Paul has a looming clash of his own: Jannik Sinner in the fourth round.

Brandon Nakashima (USA), who upset 15th seed Holger Rune in the first round, followed up with a dominant performance against Arthur Cazaux  in the second round, as well, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. The San Diego native is yet to drop a set this US Open.

 

Nakashima spoke about the strong performances of his fellow Americans: "I think they've definitely paved the right way for us Americans. I’m kind of following them and trying to catch up to them. I think it’s very important for us young Americans."

 

The last time an American male player won this tournament was 21 years ago—Andy Roddick in 2003. Could this be the year that American claims the title again? Tiafoe believes so.

 

"We’ve all been playing really well. There’s a window, there’s an opening in the game," he said. “It’s kind of a 'why not' thing."

 

Pegula, Navarro Ease Into Third Round, While Ruud Calmly Continues His Mission

 

On the women’s side, the American Yonex Team is also performing well, too. 

 

Despite the brutal heat , Emma Navarro (USA) kept her cool, securing a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus. 

 

This is only Navarro’s third US Open main draw appearance. After losing in the first round in her previous attempts in New York, the NCAA champion from the University of Virginia has now secured two straight wins to advance to the third round. The 13th seed is now a stunning 11-3 this season at the majors, having started the Australian Open ranked world No.31.

 

Jessica Pegula (USA), who has been in excellent form in this summer with a second straight win at the Canadian Open, faced fellow American Sofia Kenin in the second round. 

 

In her first round match, Pegula faced Shelby Rogers , who is her close friend and had announced her pending retirement after this tournament. In that match, Pegula overcame the emotional challenge.

 

“It was tough to handle [that] situation," she said of the Rogers match-up. "But coming into today, I thought we played some high-level tennis. I thought Sonya played really well.  Luckily I was able to get the break back both sets and then actually serve pretty well in some key moments, too.”

 

It was a 7-6, 6-3 win for Pegula over the 2020 Australian Open champion in front of a loud Louis Armstrong Stadium crowd. 

 

Among the other top players, Casper Ruud (NOR) defeated French veteran Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6. Nicknamed "The Ice Man," Ruud coolly closed out the match, which extended late into the night due to rain delays.

 

Ruud is looking to make a return to the final, where he finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in 2022.