The US Open 2025: An Unexpected Tournament for American Tennis Players
After a remarkable season for American tennis players, expectations and hopes were high for the last major tournament of the year. However, this year’s US Open has taken an unexpected turn, generating surprises from the first days.
In an unexpected turn of events, Madison Keys, Australian Open champion and sixth seed, suffered a surprising defeat to Renata Zarazua on the second day. On Friday, Ben Shelton, winner of the Canadian Masters, withdrew due to a shoulder injury during his third-round match, while Frances Tiafoe, a two-time semi-finalist, was defeated in straight sets by Jan-Lennard Struff. The round of 32 also saw the elimination of Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul, seeded number 10 and 14 respectively.
Despite these early eliminations, six American tennis players remain in the competition. Coco Gauff, who won the singles title in 2023, Jessica Pegula, and Taylor Fritz, finalists last year, have managed to advance to the second week of the tournament.
The drought of major titles for American men dates back to 2003, when Andy Roddick won the US Open. Will Taylor Fritz be the one to break this streak? Or will any of the remaining five women continue the good American performance? Time will tell.
Analysis of American Tennis Players in Competition
Here’s a detailed analysis of the American tennis players still in the tournament, along with their tournament journey:
Coco Gauff (No. 3)
Victories: Ajla Tomljanovic, Donna Vekic, Magdalena Frech.Next match: Naomi Osaka (No. 23).
Gauff, after her second major title at Roland Garros, had a complicated summer, including a first-round loss at Wimbledon. Before the US Open, Gauff switched one of her coaches, Matt Daly, for Gavin MacMillan, an expert in biomechanics. With MacMillan and her coach Jean-Christophe Faurel, Gauff worked on improving her serve. In her match against Frech, Gauff demonstrated greater control and won with a score of 6-3, 6-1.
Gauff will face Osaka in a highly anticipated match. The first time they met at the 2019 US Open, Osaka won. Since then, Gauff has won three of their last four encounters. Gauff expressed her excitement about the possibility of playing against Osaka.Coco Gauff, seeded number 3, had a difficult start in her first two matches, but she looked more comfortable with her new serve on Saturday.
Taylor Fritz (No. 4)
Victories: Emilio Nava, Lloyd Harris, Jerome Kym.Next match: Tomas Machac (No. 21).
Fritz, one of the main representatives of American men’s tennis, seeks to break the major title drought. In 2024, he was a finalist at the ATP Finals and remained in the top 5 of the ranking. His hard court season has not been as successful, but he reached the semifinals at the Canadian Masters. Fritz has overcome some challenges in the tournament, including losing the first set against Harris and the second set against Kym.
Fritz commented that the defeat in the tiebreak against Kym motivated him to win the match. In his next match, Fritz will face Machac, whom he has defeated in their two previous encounters. However, in their most recent encounter, Machac retired due to cramps. If Fritz wins, he could face Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.
Jessica Pegula (No. 4)
Victories: Mayar Sherif, Anna Blinkova, Victoria Azarenka.Next match: Ann Li.
After winning her first major title at last year’s US Open, Pegula seeks to replicate that success. In the current tournament, Pegula has regained her dominant form. In her match against Azarenka, Pegula achieved a 6-1, 7-5 victory.
Ann Li
Victories: Rebecca Sramkova, Belinda Bencic, Priscilla Hon.Next match: Jessica Pegula (No. 4).
Li, ranked 58th in the world, had not advanced beyond the third round in a major. However, she has had an outstanding performance, reaching the second week of the US Open. Li defeated Bencic with a score of 6-3, 6-3 and Hon with a score of 7-5, 6-3. Li is expected to reach her best ranking, placing around 44th.
Amanda Anisimova (No. 8)
Victories: Kimberly Birrell, Maya Joint, Jaqueline Cristian.Next match: Beatriz Haddad Maia (No. 18).
Anisimova has had a remarkable season. After a period of rest, she returned in 2024 and managed to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open. In 2025, she won the Doha tournament and reached the Wimbledon final. At the US Open, she has reached the fourth round for the first time. Anisimova expressed her enthusiasm for playing in front of the home crowd. She will face Haddad Maia, whom she has defeated in two of their three encounters.Taylor Townsend surprised Mirra Andreeva, seeded number 5, on Friday night.
Taylor Townsend
Victories: Antonia Ruzic, Jelena Ostapenko, Mirra Andreeva.Next match: Barbora Krejcíkova.
Townsend, current number one in doubles, has stood out in the tournament with her bold play. After her victory against Ostapenko, Townsend faced Andreeva, achieving a 7-5, 6-2 victory. Townsend, who previously reached the fourth round at the 2019 US Open, now has the opportunity to reach the quarterfinals. Townsend also advanced to the third round in doubles.
