This time the All-American showdown between Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton is coming a little early.
Both men advanced to a third-round clash in the U.S. Open after each cruised through the second round on a hot, sweaty Wednesday in Flushing.
Shelton beat Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, while Tiafoe was leading, 6-4, 6-1, 1-0 before Alexander Shevchenko was forced to retire.
Tiafoe celebrated with Knicks standout Mikal Bridges courtside afterward.
It set up a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal clash won by Shelton, coming two rounds earlier this time.
“I’m really looking forward to it. We had a great battle in the quarters last year, and I am sure it will be another popcorn match,” said Shelton.
“Obviously, he’s very much like me in how excited and energetic he is on the court, and has such a big game and big shots and serves big and gets the crowd going. He’s 20, 21 years old. He’s young, funny, cracks jokes, just about as immature as I am,” Tiafoe said with a grin. “We always have fun joking around and cracking jokes, for sure.
“I mean, obviously his serve [is great]. He’s got one of the better serves on the tour, no question. Especially a lefty, he hits all the spots, changes pace quite well. It’s going to be tough but I’m super excited.”
Tiafoe got the result he wanted, if not in the manner he’d hoped.
A noted NBA fan whose own popularity has transcended tennis, he was wearing a Jalen Brunson jersey before the match.
He has worn Kevin Durant and Immanuel Quickley jerseys in the past, as well.
As soon as he clinched the match, Tiafoe pointed at Bridges in the front row, imitated his signature bobblehead celebration and went over to receive congratulations.
“A mutual friend linked us. I’m friends with a lot of guys in the league. … I have a lot of hoop celebrations. I did his celebration to him after the match and he was laughing,” Tiafoe said. “Yeah, it’s all just my love for hoop, and them just following me because someone of color playing tennis, that’s kind of the connection.
“It’s funny. I was actually trying to wear a Mikal Bridges because he was coming to the match and he texted me that he was coming to the match. But I’m just not a morning person, so I put it on and then when I took it off to go practice. … But yeah, Brunson, he’s the man here. He’s damn near bigger than Jay-Z.”
Tiafoe, who reached the semis two years ago in Flushing, was in control throughout.
He broke Shevchenko to seal the first set and took a 5-1 double-break lead in the second before taking that, as well.
Shevchenko had to call for the trainer after the second set and retired in the third.
Tiafoe has seemingly regained his momentum after hiring David Witt as coach.
He’d been struggling at 15-15 through Wimbledon before skipping the Olympics.
Since Atlanta, when he brought on Witt — who’d coached Venus Williams, Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari — Tiafoe has gone 11-4, winning seven of his past eight.
Shelton, 21, drilled Spain’s Bautista Agut on Grandstand in straight sets.
With his serve reaching 141 mph — not even reaching his tour-leading best — Shelton drilled 17 aces. He struck 59 winners and needed just 2:10 to win, roaring after the final point.
“I thought I moved extremely well,” said Shelton. “I served well and hit my forehand well and didn’t get broken today and was clutch at the big moments when I needed to be. I am happy with where my game is at.”
Shelton beat Tiafoe last year to become the youngest American man to reach the U.S. Open semis since 1992, eventually losing to Novak Djokovic.
“That wasn’t easy. That wasn’t something I was pleased about by any means. Then I had a bad season after that,” Tiafoe said. “Stuff you definitely learn from. Everything that comes in your career, all the highs and lows, only sets you up for better moments ahead. I’m super excited for the match and any opportunity to do it again.”