SUMMARY
- The Australian Open is through to the second week.
- The first week witnessed incredible action in Melbourne.
The Australian Open 2024 has borne witness to scintillating tennis so far. As week one rolls into week two, the American contingent has given their best shot. American players have always led the way and, in doing so, etched their names in the history of the sport.
The stars took to the courts in Melbourne this year, hoping to conquer the title. A few players proved their mettle down under, while heartbreak awaited others. In this article, we will take a closer look at how the American stars have fared in the first Grand Slam so far.
Coco Gauff’s campaign at the Australian Open
Since her debut, Gauff has quickly risen through the ranks, and she has established herself as a great competitor. Coco is the backbone of the American team, with the weight of the expectations of a nation resting on her shoulders. She kicked off her campaign in Melbourne on the back of her success at the US Open. Gauff won her maiden major title on home soil, becoming the youngest ever after Serena Williams to do so.
So far, Gauff is one of the few top seeds remaining in the competition. She has been very clinical in her performances, dispatching her opponents with ease. Coco made her way to the quarterfinals after defeating Magdalena Frech in the fourth round. She will face Marta Kostyuk next.
An easy Sunday afternoon for Coco Gauff! pic.twitter.com/9KLq4lrihD
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) January 21, 2024
Gauff has been in splendid form, as she successfully defended her Auckland title ahead of the tournament. She is one of the top contenders for the title this year. However, only time will tell if Gauff can add another major title to her name.
Taylor Fritz
Fritz is the top-seeded American on the men’s side of the draw. He enjoyed a good season in 2023, which saw him win two titles and reach the US Open quarterfinals for the first time. Fritz has carried over his form and his confidence Down Under this year.
Besides Coco, Fritz is the only other American player remaining in the tournament. He survived a scare in the first round against Facundo Diaz Acosta and has leveled up his game since. Fritz took on last year’s finalist, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and defeated him 7-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
Into uncharted territory 👊
Taylor Fritz charges into the AO quarterfinals for the first time 👏#AusOpen • #AO2024 pic.twitter.com/ONEX5nikOM
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2024
This is the first time that Taylor has made it to the quarterfinals in Melbourne. However, a big challenge lies ahead, as he will take on the defending champion, Novak Djokovic, next.
Amanda Anisimova
Anisimova took a break from tennis in 2023 but has picked up where she left off since her return. The 22-year-old was very impressive in her matches, as she made it to the fourth round.
She recorded straight-set wins over Liudmila Samsonova, Nadia Podoroska, and Paula Badosa en route. In doing so, Amanda set up a clash with the defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka.
Wonderful to see Amanda Anisimova back on tour 🙌
In just her 2nd tournament since April, the 22-year-old earned 3 straight-set wins. pic.twitter.com/ikIIWYhLHR
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 21, 2024
Going into the match, Anisimova was a favorite because of her positive head-to-head of 4-1 against Aryna. However, Aryna ended up defeating the American player 6-3, 6-2, quite easily.
Jessica Pegula
Jessica is one of the most well-known players on the tour. She is a consistent performer, and her hard work paid off when she won her first WTA 1000 title last year.
Pegula was one of the top seeds in the main draw. She kicked off her campaign with a win over Rebecca Marino in the first round. However, she could not keep up her winning momentum against Clara Burel and crashed out in the next round.
Ben Shelton
The young player has left quite an impression since his debut in 2022. Shelton is a big-hitting left-handed player, and despite being so young, he is one of the players to keep an eye out for.
Ben played in Melbourne for the first time in 2023, and for his debut slam, he made it to the quarterfinals. He eventually faced defeat at the hands of his compatriot, Tommy Paul.
He LOVES it here 😤@BenShelton defeats Australian Chris O’Connell 6-4 6-1 3-6 7-6(5) to reach the third round. pic.twitter.com/bB0Wvivh6z
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2024
In the first major tournament of the year, Shelton defeated Roberto Bautista Agut and Christopher O’Connell. As he breezed into the third round, he locked horns with the French veteran Adrian Mannarino. It was an exciting five-setter, and the match went down to the wire before Mannarino emerged victorious.
Frances Tiafoe
Tiafoe is one of the top-billed American stars. He stunned everyone when he defeated Rafael Nadal at the US Open in 2022. Tiafoe has made deep runs at Grand Slams in his career, and tennis fans expected him to repeat it in Australia.
Frances kicked off his campaign Down Under with a win over Borna Coric. He then took on Tomas Machac in the second round and lost in straight sets.
Sloane Stephens
Stephens is a veteran of the sport and a former US Open champion. She took to the courts in Melbourne this year, hoping to stamp her mark.
SLOANE DELIVERS A HUGE WIN! #AusOpen
Sloane Stephens earns her 1st top-20 win since Cincinnati, taking out Kasatkina 4-6, 6-3, 6-3! pic.twitter.com/mz37iKIH23
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 18, 2024
Stephens breezed through the first two rounds against Olivia Gadecki and Daria Kasatkina. However, Sloane failed to overcome Anna Kalinskaya in the third round, losing a hard-fought match.
Sebastian Korda
Korda is a former Australian Open junior champion, and he made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament last year. The 23-year-old defeated Vit Kopriva and Quentin Halys to set up a clash with Andrey Rublev in the third round. Rublev ended up defeating Sebastian in straight sets.
Tommy Paul
Tommy is one of the most exciting tennis players around at present. He made it to the semifinals last year before losing to Novak Djokovic. Many expected Tommy to repeat last year’s performance. He defeated Gregoire Barrere and Jack Draper to face Miomir Kecmanovic, who defeated him after a hard-fought five-setter.
Danielle Collins
Collins is known for her fiery brand of tennis. The 30-year-old American star has never won a major title in her career, but she made it to the semifinals in Melbourne in 2019.
Danielle took on Iga Swiatek in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. Collins was on course to win the match, but Swiatek mounted an impressive comeback to defeat her. Following her loss, Danielle announced that this would be her last season as a player.
Alycia Parks
Alycia is an exciting young talent to come through the ranks. She made her way to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time since defeating Leylah Fernandez. Parks eventually lost to Coco Gauff in the next round.
The Australian Open has been a spectacle so far. While it might be disappointing for the majority of the American players, there is still hope.