Alexander Bublik Reacts as Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton Face Injuries’ Brunt at US Open

After securing his place in the U.S. Open Round of 16, Alexander Bublik didn’t celebrate with bravado. Instead, under the lights and with the New York crowd still buzzing, he used his moment on center court to send thoughts to two players whose tournaments had ended not with defeat, but with injury.

It set a different tone than the usual post-match script. Rather than answering the reporter’s questions about his momentum and his serves (none of which he has dropped till now) during his post-match on-court interview, Bublik shifted focus to the growing list of casualties in this year’s draw. Taking a moment to acknowledge his injured friends, the Kazakh said, “I mean, we all saw that Ben got injured, it was really a pity. And then I saw today Tommy. So I would like to wish them, you know, the best recovery because they are close friends and it was a pity to see them like this. So, let’s wish Ben and Tommy a good recovery.”

Ben Shelton’s U.S. Open ended with a gut-wrenching retirement. Midway through his third-round clash against Adrian Mannarino, he clutched his shoulder and later described it as “the worst pain” he’d ever felt. The decision to pull out was immediate and devastating, considering the 22-year-old had been riding a wave of form that hinted at another deep Slam run following his quarterfinal finish last year.

Tommy Paul fought longer, but his body sent warning signs. After surviving a marathon five-setter against Nuno Borges, he faced Bublik, carrying both foot and abdominal issues, even taking an off-court medical timeout during their match. The strain was visible in his movement and serve, and though he pushed through to the fifth set, the deficit proved too steep. His loss ended his campaign and closed the door on a potential all-American showdown that fans had been hoping for in the second week.

This moment wasn’t about scorelines or rankings, but the human cost of chasing a Grand Slam. One player’s rise often exists alongside another’s collapse. And on this night, Bublik stood at the crossroads of both.

Injuries Reshape the U.S. Open Draw as Bublik Charges On

With Ben Shelton retiring due to a shoulder injury and Tommy Paul—seeded 14th—falling in a grueling five-set match against Alexander Bublik (7–6(5), 6–7(4), 6–3, 6–7(5), 6–1), the U.S. men’s draw has thinned dramatically. Paul had taken an off-court medical timeout earlier, but couldn’t regain momentum, leaving Taylor Fritz as the lone remaining American hope. The tournament has proven punishing, with injuries dictating the shape of the competition.

Bublik, however, has capitalized on the opportunity with composure and tactical precision. He has not dropped serve through the third round, blending consistent serving with aggressive baseline play. His ability to exploit opponents’ fatigue and injury-induced lapses, while maintaining focus in extended matches, demonstrates his readiness to advance deeper into a now unpredictable bracket.

Off the court and in play, Bublik’s mental resilience stands out. Unlike some players visibly affected by the pace and intensity, he adjusts strategies mid-match and exploits openings with calculated precision. As Paul and Shelton exit, Bublik’s disciplined shot selection, sharp angles, and poise under pressure make him a formidable contender in the Round of 16, potentially reshaping the men’s U.S. Open narrative.

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