Big Things from Big Foe

Popyrin’s reward is a round of 16 clash with favorite Frances Tiafoe, who took revenge for his defeat to Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals of last year’s US Open by winning a thrilling four-hour match, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 against his 13th-seeded compatriot.

Tiafoe and Shelton shared a heartwarming moment at the net after the game, embracing and talking in a bustling Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“At the net he just said, you know, ‘You’re so cold in tennis. You better keep going.’ And he was pissed that I was so nonchalant with that volley at the end,” Tiafoe revealed with a laugh.

“I was like, ‘Dude, it looked casual, but I was tense as hell.’ You know, he just says a lot of nice words and stuff like that. He’s like, keep it up and wish you all the best for the future, try to win the Open.”

➡️ Full draw men’s singles