Ben Shelton seems primed to make serious noise at US Open

"We need an American to win one," John McEnroe told ESPN on the opening day of the 2024 US Open while shedding light on the 21-year drought since Andy Roddick won at Flushing Meadows.

Last year, then-20-year-old Ben Shelton was two wins away from ending that drought when he became the youngest American man to reach the US Open semifinals since Michael Chang in 1992. While he fell to eventual winner Novak Djokovic, Shelton experienced the highs and lows of playing on the grandest stage in front of his home fans.

A year later, Shelton brings that newfound wisdom as he resumes the mission. He's off to a rollicking start, dispatching his first- and second-round opponents in straight sets — Dominic Thiem (6-4, 6-2, 6-2) and Roberto Bautista Agut (6-3, 6-4, 6-4) — without dropping a solitary service game.

Shelton's win over Bautista Agut on Wednesday was so dominant that he struck 59 winners, including 17 aces, the last of which was clocked at 141 mph. Furthermore, he won 20 consecutive points on his serve in the final set to further establish himself as one of the most lethal servers in the sport.

Saving his best for the US Open?

The 21-year-old has had an up-and-down 2024, with his only title coming on the clay court in Houston. Overall, he entered the US Open with a 30-19 record and an 18-11 record on hard court events. The latter is a surprising number, considering his affinity for hard courts.

But the electric crowds at Flushing Meadows have seemingly reinvigorated Shelton, who let out a roar after defeating Bautista Agut on Wednesday. With the win, he set up a third-round tie against a familiar foe, fellow American Frances Tiafoe, whom he defeated in last year's quarterfinal.

"I'm really looking forward to it, obviously we had a battle in the quarters here last year," Shelton said ahead to the rematch. "I'm sure it will be another popcorn-type match."

If Shelton and Djokovic handle their business in the third round, a rematch of last year's semifinal is also on the cards. And if Shelton can dethrone the Serbian, we could be on the brink of something special.