US Open 2024: Frances Tiafoe gets revenge against Ben Shelton in epic, Alexander Zverev battles back to win

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Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton put on another US Open classic in the third round, with the former on top after more than four hours of world-class action at Flushing Meadows. Tiafoe will now face Australia's Alexei Popyrin in the Round of 16, while Alexander Zverev will face Brandon Nakashima after battling back to beat Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

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Frances Tiafoe came out on top in a five-set epic against Ben Shelton to get revenge for his exit at the 2023 US Open and progress to the Round of 16.

Tiafoe fell to a 6-2 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 defeat against his compatriot in the quarter-finals of last year's tournament.

However, the world No. 20 showed his class to triumph this time around, coming out on top over five sets in a 4-6 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-3 win.

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Tiafoe will now face Australia's Alexei Popyrin in a mouth-watering round of 16 clash.

Tiafoe believes the match was played at an even higher standard than last year's classic.

“Ben's an incredible player and he comes up with the goods a lot. It was definitely a tough match,” he said.

“But, I'm not just saying this because we just spoke in the locker room, I think the level was a lot higher this year than we played last year throughout the five sets.

“I've been working on myself so much. I have a mental guy, process guy, and I've been working on myself, trying to just look at the glass differently.

"I just want to, [whether I] win or lose matches, know the guy beat me.

"I didn't beat myself. No free lunches. I'm not trying to help my opponent get over the line."

Zverev battles back

Alexander Zverev is also through to the round of 16 after battling back from a set down to beat Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

The world No. 4 secured his 100th victory at a Grand Slam with a 7-5 5-7 1-6 3-6 win over his 25-year-old rival.

The win means Zverev will now play the USA's Brandon Nakashima in the round of 16.

Zverev is still on the hunt for his first Grand Slam and is looking to go one step further than he did in 2020 when he fell to defeat in the US Open final.

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