Medvedev advances as Shelton faces Shapovalov at Open
Denis Shapovalov faces Ben Shelton in a Friday-night third-round clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium, a lefty power battle Shelton leads 4–0. On the same US Open Day 6 slate, Medvedev faced Arthur Rinderknech and, according to TSN, dominated to reach the fourth round as Canada's Davis Cup captain told Shapovalov to "go after the throat."
Key Takeaways
- Shelton and Shapovalov meet in the third round of the 2026 US Open in a rare lefty-versus-lefty showdown.
- Shelton holds a 4–0 head-to-head edge, though three of those matches went to a deciding set.
- Medvedev's Day 6 third-round run against Rinderknech kept Flushing Meadows buzzing alongside the Ashe night session.
- Canada's Frank Dancevic says Shapovalov must attack early if he wants an upset on home soil for Shelton.
- Shelton is the heavy favorite after a strong season that includes four titles and a Masters 1000 crown.
Why does Shelton start as the favorite against Shapovalov?
According to the official US Open preview, Shelton's Top 10 ranking and perfect record against the No. 48-ranked Canadian make him the clear pick.
The American edged Hubert Hurkacz in four sets on Day 4 and earlier beat Tallon Griekspoor. Racing Post notes Shelton also won the Canadian Open in Montreal last month and is a 2023 US Open semi-finalist who lost in the third round the past two years.
Shapovalov reached the Los Cabos final in early August and thrives on North American hard courts, but he has never beaten Shelton on the ATP Tour.
What makes this lefty, big-hitting battle different?
Both men are among the hardest-serving lefties in the game, attack with swagger, and rely on the forehand to dictate. Shapovalov called it a "lefty, big-hitting battle."
Three of their four meetings reached a deciding set, and they have played a tiebreak in all but one clash. Their most recent scrap, a Dallas semi-final in February, ended with Shelton winning a third-set tiebreak after dropping the opener.
Their backhands diverge: Shapovalov is one of only three men left in the draw with a single-handed backhand, while Shelton uses a two-hander—a contrast the US Open flagged as a possible difference-maker when their forehands cancel out.
Where does Medvedev fit into Day 6 at the US Open?
Racing Post's Day 6 preview slotted Daniil Medvedev against world No. 29 Arthur Rinderknech in the third round, noting Medvedev's straight-sets wins over Hugo Gaston and Sebastian Gorzny.
TSN later listed Medvedev dominating Rinderknech to book a fourth-round berth—proof the Russian's path remained a parallel headline while Shelton and Shapovalov prepared for Ashe.
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Can Shapovalov finally break the Shelton hoodoo?
Frank Dancevic argued Ashe is "the ultimate place for Shelton to be playing," so Shapovalov must "go get him, go after the throat." Dancevic added that Denis is "the kind of guy that can make these upsets."
Shelton still called the Canadian electric and said every prior meeting has been fun. Shapovalov vowed to put everything into it against a rival he believes can win the tournament.
Expect fireworks, popcorn, and another tight lefty scrap—whether history holds or Shapovalov finally flips the script.