A week into the U.S. Open, the once-promising American men are down to one representative.
On Friday, sixth-seeded Ben Shelton and No. 17 Frances Tiafoe were eliminated.
Saturday night, Tommy Paul joined them, leaving just Taylor Fritz, the fourth seed, left on the men’s side.
The 14th-seed, who had advanced to the quarterfinals of both the Australian and French Open earlier this year, was sent packing by No. 13 Alexander Bublik 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Last year, four American men reached the fourth round, with Fritz facing Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal. 5
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That was sliced to one this time around.
Paul had no answer for Bublik’s big serve, failing to break him once during the entire 3-hour, 38-minute match.
He had just six opportu