Two-time US Open semifinalist stunned in third round by German qualifier

NEW YORK — The day went from bad to worse for some of the American men vying for their first Grand Slam championship after No. 17 seed Frances Tiafoe was stunned in straight sets by qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany, 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) in the third round of the US Open.

Minutes earlier, No. 6 seed Ben Shelton lost in the third round after he was forced to retire with a left shoulder injury against Adrian Mannarino.

Only two Americans remain in contention at the final Grand Slam tournament of 2025: No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz and No. 14 seed Tommy Paul. Fritz plays in primetime in Louis Armstrong Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29.

Tiafoe, a fan favorite and a US Open semifinalist in 2022 and 2024, had his earliest elimination at the U.S. Open since 2019.

The 35-year-old Struff began the tournament ranked No. 144 and had to win three qualifying matches just to make the US Open.

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