US Stars Shelton and Korda Bow Out of Australian Open

US tennis stars Ben Shelton and Sebastian Korda faced disappointing exits from the Australian Open, leaving their compatriots Tommy Paul, Taylor Fritz, and Alex Michelsen as the only remaining contenders in the men’s draw. Shelton, the 16th seed, fought a hard-fought five-set match against 20th seed Adrian Mannarino that lasted nearly five hours, with Mannarino ultimately emerging victorious. Korda, seeded 29th, suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of the fifth seed Andrey Rublev. This latest blow compounds the struggles of American male players at this year’s tournament.

The Aussie Open has been a challenging event for US players in general, with the likes of Frances Tiafoe, Chris Eubanks, Jessica Pegula, and Danielle Collins already eliminated. However, four American women, including US Open champion, remain in the competition, offering hope for American tennis fans. Additionally, Tommy Paul, Taylor Fritz, and Alex Michelsen continue to fly the flag for the US in the men’s competition.

While Shelton’s defeat dashed his hopes of a rematch with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, his performance against Mannarino showcased his resilience. Djokovic, who has been struggling with illness, found his form in a straightforward victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Serbian player praised his own performance, stating it was his best of the tournament so far, particularly in the first two sets. Djokovic’s 100th match at the Australian Open marked a return to form for the 10-time champion.