US Open Day 6 Men’s Recap: Injuries, Medical Timeouts, and Shelton’s Heartbreak

Day six at the US Open men’s singles was as much about survival as it was about tennis. Three of the tournament’s biggest names needed medical attention, and one home favourite saw his campaign end in devastating fashion. The drama of the second week is beginning to take shape, though questions linger over the fitness of several contenders.

Who Looked Good

Carlos Alcaraz also required a quick visit from the physio during his match, but he shrugged it off with his usual brand of fearless shot-making. Once the early concerns faded, the former champion seized control, firing winners from both wings and dictating rallies at will. His ability to absorb pressure while still playing freely is keeping him right in the mix for another deep run.

Tomas Machac continued his quietly impressive rise with a 7-5 6-3 6-1 win over Ugo Blanchet. The Czech has reached the second week of a Slam for the first time this year and has yet to drop a set in New York. After past campaigns were derailed by injuries, this clean and confident run feels like a breakthrough moment.

Who Looked Bad

Frances Tiafoe’s struggles in 2025 continued with a straight-sets loss to Jan-Lennard Struff. The American never found his rhythm, landing just 54% of his first serves and winning under half of his points behind it. Struff punished him with heavy returning and relentless aggression, leaving Tiafoe without answers in a flat 6-4 6-3 7-6 defeat.

Match of the Day

The headline contest came from Ben Shelton’s heartbreaking exit. Facing a tough tactical battle, the American fought his way into the match and snatched the third set to go up two sets to one with some of his best tennis of the tournament. Just as it looked like the momentum had shifted, however, a shoulder injury flared up, sapping the power from his serve and forcing him to retire after winning that set. Up until that point, it had been a thrilling clash of styles, with Shelton’s explosive hitting matched by his opponent’s tactical discipline. In the end, it was a cruel finish to what had been shaping up as one of the matches of the fortnight.