After defeating Ashleigh Barrty of Australia in the third round of the US Open tennis championships on Saturday, September 4, 2021, Shelby Rogers of the United States reacts. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin (2) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shelby Rogers won the most significant victory in her tennis career. She dropped her tennis racket onto the Arthur Ashe Stadium court and covered her mouth with her hands. The crowd cheered as she raised her arms to celebrate.
The world's No. 1 seed, a 28-year-old woman from Mount Pleasant, S.C. had just been knocked out by the last American woman in the draw. After losing to her five times straight, 1 Ash Barty is the top seed and favourite to win the U.S. Open. Barty, who arrived in New York after winning both Cincinnati and Wimbledon, was leading 5-2 in the final sets. She served twice for the match but Rogers responded and won 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(5). In the fourth round, she will face Emma Raducanu (18 years old), a British tennis star who is guaranteed at least $265,000.
Rogers said to the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd that this year's crowd was "next-level". Rogers said that you have chosen who you want to win and thanked you for choosing me tonight.
One year ago, she lost to Naomi Osaka at the quarterfinals, as she was regaining her knees from surgery. There were no fans to cheer her on because of the pandemic.
Rogers' victory was a significant day for Americans as three American men are now in the round of 16, including No. 22 seed Reilly Opelka; former Baylor commit Jenson B. Brooksby; and Frances Tiafoe. Brooksby, who survived a five-setter against Russian Aslan Karatsev on Saturday, became the youngest American man in the fourth round at the U.S. Open. Jack Sock, a fourth American, lost two sets to one and was 2-1 in the fourth round against No. Alexander Zverev, fourth seed, was injured in the right groin on Saturday night.
Opelka Brooksby, Tiafoe and Tiafoe represent the first American trio to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam Grand Slam since the 2011 U.S. Open, when John Isner and Mardy Fish, Andy Roddick, and Donald Young achieved it.
Tiafoe stunned No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev in five sets Friday, faces Canadian No. 12 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday.
Jenson Brooksby of the United States returns the ball during round one of the US Open tennis [+] championships on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 in New York. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Opelka, the 7-footer with a huge serving stature who is America's most dangerous threat at this tournament will face Lloyd Harris of South Africa on Monday. Brooksby becomes world No. On Monday, Novak Djokovic will be No. 1. Djokovic won in four sets over 2014 U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishori and is now four wins away from becoming the first man since Rod Laver 1969 to win Grand Slam.
Many other young Americans, such as Brandon Nakashima or Sebastian Korda are not in the tournament, but they show promise for the future.
Brooksby will be a huge second-week guy. Opelka stated this after beating Nikoloz Basilishivili 7-6, 3-1, 6-4. Nakashima. Korda is my favorite. If I'm honest, I believe the young men are better than us. Korda is an outstanding player. Brooksby is brutal.
It will be interesting to see how he matches Djokovic. Because he is so tricky, I believe he will give Djokovic fits. Nakashima can be described as a pure ball-striker. From an American perspective, I believe the young men will be the ones to beat.
Rogers was the last American woman to be at the U.S. Open. Few would have predicted that. Six months after her knee surgery, she told her trainer that she was not sure if she would ever be able to play again.
In an ESPN interview with Chris McKendry, she said: "The people around me were just amazing encouraging me. When you are doubting your abilities and don't believe in yourself, the people around you can be a great help.
Ashleigh Barty of Australia returns a shot at Shelby Rogers of the United States during the... [+] 3rd round of the US Open tennis championships. This was Saturday, September 4, 2021 in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin (2) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sofia Kenin and Serena Williams, as well as Venus Williams, were unable to enter the tournament due to injuries or Covid issues. However, stars like Sloane Stephens and Sloane Gauff were expected to make deep runs.
They were all out of Saturday's draw, so Rogers was forced to play someone she had never beaten. In the third round, she was brilliant. She won backhand wins and used a 103 mph serve against the Wimbledon champion.
Barty hadn't dropped a set during the tournament, but she was slow from the beginning. Rogers was able to get back in with her 17 unforced errors in set one, and three more in set two.
Rogers was cheered by the Ashe crowd, who cheered for every winner. She waved her arms and encouraged them to get louder. Rogers, 28, broke Barty twice in third match when Barty was serving for the match.
After four losses this year, Rogers was overcome with emotion after being toppled by Barty.
Rogers stated on ESPN that not only are you moving on in New York, which can be very emotional, but you also know your home Slam. She also spoke about what Ash has done me in the past. She brought me down twice in Australia, in front her home crowd. Then she took me down in Charleston in front my home crowd. I was really embarrassed in Madrid by her actions so I just wanted to show her how New York can do.
Rogers is the last American woman to be drawn and she is rooting for all remaining American men.
She said that the guys are also doing well on ESPN. They have been incredibly inspiring. Frances, Jack [Sock], Reilly just won Brooksby [won] so it's great for him.
It's great to see everyone supporting the Americans and spreading positive vibes. Unfortunately, we had to pull a few American women from the draw this year. I will still try my best to represent them.
Reporting was contributed by the AP
