The opening day of the US Open delivered a seismic shock to the tournament, as two of America's brightest hopes were unceremoniously dumped out in the first round.
In a result that few saw coming, fan favourite and tenth seed Frances Tiafoe was sent packing by fellow American Marcos Giron in a tense four-set battle. The final scoreline of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) sent ripples through a stunned crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Shelton's Hopes Dashed by Veteran Mannarino
The American disappointment was compounded just hours later when rising star Ben Shelton, seeded 14th, also fell at the first hurdle. The young powerhouse was outmanoeuvred by the crafty French veteran Adrian Mannarino, who claimed a 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Mannarino's tactical nous and flat groundstrokes proved too much for Shelton's explosive but sometimes erratic game, silencing the home crowd who had hoped for a deep run from their new star.
Keys Cruises, Gauff Awaits
It wasn't all doom and gloom for the home nation. Madison Keys, the 2017 finalist, provided a moment of American cheer with a commanding straight-sets win over Arantxa Rus. The 17th seed looked in formidable form, dispatching her opponent 6-2, 6-4 and immediately setting her sights on a potential blockbuster clash with compatriot Coco Gauff in the fourth round.
The early exits of Tiafoe and Shelton have blown the men's draw wide open, offering a huge opportunity for other contenders. For the two fallen Americans, it's a brutally early end to their Flushing Meadows campaign and a bitter pill to swallow.
