Overview
- Patrick McEnroe publicly picked Ben Shelton to win the US Open on Monday, citing Shelton's serve, forehand, improved return and mental toughness as reasons for his choice.
- Shelton comes in fresh from defending his Canadian Open title without dropping a set, a run that boosted his credentials for Flushing Meadows.
- Shelton was elevated to the No. 8 seed after Jannik Sinner withdrew with a knee injury, a change that lets him avoid a top-four seed until at least the quarterfinals.
- Concerns remain about Shelton's readiness after a quick loss in Cincinnati following the Montreal swing and about top rivals, with Carlos Alcaraz out since April with a wrist issue but still favored by some betting markets over Shelton.
- The combination of Shelton's form, a kinder seeding path and rival absences creates a meaningful chance for an American to end the men's US Open title drought that has lasted since 2003.