New York City, UNITED STATES – Could we see an American man win the US Open for the first time in 21 years? Two of them wielding Yonex racquets – Frances Tiafoe  (USA) and Tommy Paul　(USA),  – lead a charge of four American Yonex stars who have advanced to fourth-round play at their home Slam over the celebratory Labor Day weekend, a favorite among the massive home crowds that pack into the Flushing Meadows site.

 

But it’s not just the stars and stripes that are shining as the year’s final Grand Slam rounds the bend to its business end. What also stands out this year is the remarkable diversity among Yonex players into week two, representing six different backgrounds.

 

Let’s explore the stories of some of these players as they aim for major tennis glory.

 

Tiafoe Redeems Himself by Winning the Yonex Showdown with Shelton

 

Ben Shelton (USA) and Frances Tiafoe faced each other in the quarterfinals last year in an electric affair – won by Shelton.

 

Twelve months later, they met in the third round, a reflection of how challenging the past year has been for Tiafoe, who had fallen from 10^th to 29^th in the 52-week rankings.

 

The Maryland native had lost again to Shelton when the two met in April in Houston on clay, struggling again against the big lefty’s powerful serves.

 

But this time, back on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, the story was different. Though Tiafoe allowed 23 aces for his opponent, he managed to return with high consistency, turning the tide in his favor... and never doubting that he could, indeed, overcome Shelton.

 

“I think I returned exceptional today,” Tiafoe told reporters after. “I thought I made a lot of returns, made him play a lot. I think that's something I have really improved on since I've hired David Witt. That paid a lot of dividends.”

 

Witt, well-known as the longtime coach of Venus Williams and Jessica Pegula, began working with Tiafoe after Wimbledon. Tiafoe secured five breaks throughout the match, including a pivotal break in the fourth game of the final set, avenging last year’s loss with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 victory.

 

The match against Shelton was played during the day session at Arthur Ashe Stadium, much to the disappointment of fans who had expected a night showdown. Where does the Tiafoe’s next match take place? Under the spotlight of the night at the world’s largest tennis arena, of course.

 

Three Players Advance to the Fourth Round for the First Time

 

New York is often seen as the city where dreams are made, and at the US Open—an event that frequently produces Cinderella stories—three players have stepped onto the unknown stage, all wielding Yonex racquets.

 

One of those players is American Emma Navarro (USA).

 

Despite being ranked 12^th and holding a tour title, Navarro had never made it past the first round at her home Slam. This time, however, she’s secured three wins, with her third-round clash against Marta Kostyuk proving her toughest yet.

 

After the pair split the opening two sets, Navarro fell down an early break in the decider at Louis Armstrong Stadium. The former NCAA champion was undeterred. She won six of the final seven games, claiming the victory 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

 

“You know, I have a really grounded group of people around me that keeps me really grounded, [too],” Navarro said of her crew after what’s been a standout season. “So in my head I'll always just be kind of regular Emma, under-the-radar Emma,” she added, smiling.

 

But being "under-the-radar Emma" won’t be entirely possible come the fourth round when she faces last year’s champion, Coco Gauff on Arthur Ashe.

 

Yafan Wang (CHN) has also reached the fourth round for the first time in what is her 16^th Grand Slam main draw appearance.

 

In November 2022, Wang’s ranking had dropped to 418^th. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, China’s strict travel restrictions made it challenging for her to return home after traveling abroad.

 

“When I was on a road for seven months, I was tired both physically and mentally, and I didn’t get any good results,” she recalled, admitting there was a time she nearly lost her passion for tennis altogether.

 

Wang took matters into her own hands: She took a months-long break to allow her to rediscover her love for the sport. Back on tour at the outset of the 2023 season, Wang returned with a renewed energy. At age 30, she’s having the best season of her career, reaching the second round or better in every Grand Slam. Friday she upset former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka to reach the final 16.

 

Another fourth-round debutant is 20-year-old Diana Shnaider(RUS), an up-and-coming player with three tour titles already under her belt.

 

After completing her freshman year at North Carolina State University, she turned pro last year.

 

“My goal was always to be a professional tennis player. But it’s tough to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to be a professional tennis player,’ because even if you have a successful junior career, it doesn’t mean you’ll be in the top 20 in a year or two—or even five years,” she said.

 

Shnaider gained invaluable experience during her first year at university, helping the Wolfpack to the national championship final, and since has risen quickly in just one year on the tour.

 

Her trademark blue polka-dot bandana has become a symbol of her success, too.

“I wore it last year, and I won my first title in it,” she said. Will her lucky bandana bring her more success? In the fourth round, she will face Jessica Pegula (USA), the 6^th-seeded unofficial leader of Team Yonex.

 

Additionally, Brandon Nakashima (USA) defeated Paris Olympic bronze medalist Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to advance to his first Grand Slam fourth round. The San Diego native has dropped just one set in a dazzling US Open run, including a blistering win over 15^th seed Holger Rune in the first round.

 

Other notable players include former finalist Casper Ruud (NOR), Tommy Paul, French and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini (ITA) and Donna Vekic (CRO) – who are now all eyeing a coveted spot in the US Open quarter-finals.