2LT National News

(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

Rising American star Ben Shelton succumbed to a disappointing exit at the U.S. Open on Friday in New York, not by defeat but by retirement due to a left shoulder injury.

The sixth-seeded Shelton, who is left-handed, dropped out after playing four sets against unseeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. Shelton and Mannarino had traded those sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, respectively.

Shelton left the court with a towel over his head, ending a promising run at Flushing Meadows in heartbreak. Shelton previously reached the U.S. Open semifinals in 2023, and his stellar 2025 campaign included a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open, a fourth-round match at the French and a quarterfinal bid at Wimbledon — all career bests.

Shelton, 22, had fired 11 aces and won 61 of 80 first-service points (76.3 percent) before he retired. He saved 6 of 9 break points, while Mannarino also stood tall and saved 7 of 10.

Mannarino, 37, moved on to the fourth round and will play No. 20 seed Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic.

–Field Level Media