Lindsay Davenport has now given her verdict on the chances that the male American field have heading into the last Grand Slam of the season.
Upon the return of the US Open, there is always increased hope around those home favourites, who are supported well throughout their time in New York.
As such, it is almost expected that at least one or two should go deep enough to give those fans something to latch onto.
Last year, it was Taylor Fritz who soared all the way to the final, defeating his countryman Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals.
However, he was swiftly beaten in straight sets by Jannik Sinner, the world’s paramount player at the moment.
It is this hurdle that promises to once again prove near-impossible to overcome, especially with Carlos Alcaraz hitting form in Cincinnati too.
This duo were the reason why Davenport made the following prediction.
Lindsay Davenport makes a prediction about American men
Speaking on the Tennis Channel Live podcast, the three-time Grand Slam champion was asked to rate just how far away she thinks the American men are from the ultimate prize.
After all, as Gauff jokingly suggested a few weeks ago, they do need to catch up to the women, with her and Madison Keys having both having won a title, and Amanda Anisimova reaching a Wimbledon final too.
Davenport started by admitting: “Feels like we’re getting closer.
“I think it’s still a tough ask if you’re talking about New York in a couple of weeks’ time because Sinner’s playing a level on hard-court tennis I’m not sure we’ve ever seen; the consistency and how well he’s playing.
“Alcaraz as well, such a shot-maker. But I mean, every year we say we’re getting closer, Fritz was one match away last year in New York, so maybe Ben [Shelton], as he continues to get this momentum, he’ll have the crowd behind him, you never know.”
Shelton made history when beating Fritz in Canada earlier this month.
Which American men could challenge for the US Open title?
There are a handful of genuine American contenders for the US Open title this year, but it really does feel like none of them have the steel needed to usurp Sinner.
After all, Fritz suffered a beatdown in last year’s final, and has frequently struggled to beat the world’s top two-ranked men regardless of form.
Ben Shelton seems the most likely, based on current form, with his unorthodox, electric game style capable of causing trouble to anyone on tour.
If he can find consistency, there is a chance.
Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul are both in consideration too, with the former a two-time semi-finalist.
However, it’s hard to look past the first two as the top contenders to lead American hopes.
