The European action, culminating with the second Grand Slam of the year in Paris, begins in Monte Carlo, where five American men were entered this year. But when only Marcos Giron and No. 14 seed Frances Tiafoe won their first-round matches, and neither advanced further, it seemed like déjà vu.
The outlook hardly improved the following week in Barcelona, despite 21-year-old Ethan Quinn’s quality wins, in qualifying, over hardened clay-courters Corentin Moutet and Borna Coric. (Quinn’s big problem: running into Carlos Alcaraz in the main draw.) Sebastian Korda, who reached the fourth round of Roland Garros five years ago, won a match, but that was it.
At the same time in Munich, Learner Tien and Giron both lost in the first round, and it looked like Shelton would, too. But then came his inspired turnaround. The feat energized Shelton, and perhaps his compatriots as well.
Last year, 11 American men appeared in the main draw in Madrid. Five were seeded, two had qualified. But only three—seeds Fritz, Tommy Paul and Korda—won matches. Fritz, the semifinalist, was the only one to reach the fourth round.
At this year’s event, 12 U.S. players were in the main draw. Nine won their first matches. Brandon Nakashima, perhaps the most overlooked U.S. player, joined Fritz in the fourth round on Sunday, with No. 11 seed Tommy Paul and No. 16 Frances Tiafoe hoping to join them (their matches were postponed to Tuesday, due to the widespread power outages in Spain).
