Tommy Paul of the United States will face his fellow countryman Ben Shelton in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, January 25.
The winner of this quarter-final will advance to face either Novak Djokovic of Serbia or Andrey Rublev of Russia in the Australian Open semi-finals.
Three American men are in a Grand Slam quarter-final since a trio of Andre Agassi, James Blake and Robby Ginepri reached the 2005 US Open Championship quarter-finals.
Their matchup will be the first Major quarterfinal between two US men players since 2007, when Andy Roddick beat Mardy Fish in Melbourne. Thus, the winner will assure the USA of its first Australian Open men’s semi-finalist since Roddick (who lost to Roger Federer) in 2009.
Yet, Roddick’s title at the US Open 20 years ago – his first and only – remains the last major singles championship for a man from the United States.
The 25-year-old American started his Australian Open campaign with a 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 win over German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff before he went on to beat 30th-seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain in five sets. He continued with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 victory over fellow American Jenson Brooksby in the third round, followed by his most significant result in the competition so far – a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 win over experienced Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain in the last-16.
The world number 35 defeated 24th seed Roberto Bautista Agut on Monday to reach his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final. Paul eliminated an opponent ranked 10 places higher 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 on Margaret Court Arena in three hours and 19 minutes to eventually set up an all-American clash at the Australian Open.
Now, Paul will face fellow unseeded American Ben Shelton for a place in the semi-finals, after Shelton was forced into a five-setter against another American, JJ Wolf, 6-7, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6, 6-2.
Since 2020, Tommy Paul has been coached by Brad Stine, who already guided former No. 5 Kevin Anderson of South Africa to the Wimbledon final in 2018.
It's reportedly been Ben Shelton's first time outside of the United States and the 20-years-old is clearly enjoying his first time using a passport.
Twelve months ago, Shelton was attending classes and competing in college tennis at the University of Florida, where his dad Bryan Shelton, a former pro himself, coaches the Florida Gators men's tennis team.
Shelton defeated Zhang Zhizhen of China 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 in the opening round before back-to-back straight set wins over Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry and Australian wildcard Alexey Popyrin, though neither of them was an easy match.
Shelton boosted his confidence when he met fellow American JJ Wolf on Monday and he prevailed in five sets at John Cain Arena.
Currently the World no.89 (his career-high) Shelton is set to face another unseeded American, 35th-ranked Tommy Paul, who recently outclassed 24th-seed Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
We expect a tight clash between the two Americans who have an unimaginable opportunity to secure an Australian Open semi-final against the winner of the clash between Andrey Rublev and nine-time winner Novak Djokovic.
