Fils, Shelton Lead #NextGenATP Stars At US Open

Arthur Fils and Ben Shelton lead a quartet of #NextGenATP contenders at this year’s US Open, where the young stars will aim to earn standout wins to boost their chances of qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals as Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, prepares to host the event for the first time.

The 19-year-old Frenchman Fils, currently fourth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Jeddah (908 points), is making his debut in New York and begins against 24th seed Tallon Griekspoor, who has won two tour-level titles this season.

Shelton, 20, made his debut at the hard-court major last year, falling to Nuno Borges in the first round. The American will hope to go deeper this fortnight, starting against Argentine Pedro Cachin. Shelton is fifth in the Live Race To Jeddah (735 points), having advanced to the second round in Toronto and Cincinnati earlier this month.

Shelton’s Countryman Alex Michelsen enjoyed a breakthrough run on home soil in Newport in July when he advanced to his first tour-level final. The 18-year-old, who is seventh in the Live Race To Jeddah (447 points), plays Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the first round. Michelsen is making his Slam debut and reached the third round in Winston-Salem this week.

The American could face fellow #NextGenATP star Luca Van Assche in the second round. The Frenchman, 19, meets 23rd seed Nicolas Jarry. Van Assche is sixth in the Live Race To Jeddah (587 points), with his best result this season a run to the quarter-finals in Hamburg.

The Next Gen ATP Finals will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 28 November-2 December.