The Citi Open fans are in for a treat as two of the ATP’s most exciting players will go head-to-head.
Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, the American number two and three respectively, will face one another for the fourth time.
Each of their previous three meetings have taken place on home soil and that remains the case as the duo will do battle in America’s capital.
A place in the semifinals is at stake and fans in attendance will be treated to an entertaining contest between Tiafoe and Shelton.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesFrances Tiafoe thinks the crowd will cheer for both him and Ben Shelton at the Citi Open
Both Tiafoe and Shelton are yet to win an ATP Tour title in 2025.
They are hoping to change that at the Washington Open, but they have to go through each other in order to keep their chances of success alive.
The pair have developed reputations for being characteristic performers who entertain crowds with their elite shotmaking.
It remains to be seen who the spectators will favour during the match, but Tiafoe thinks both players will receive some love.
“I mean, obviously, I mean, they’ll be cheering for him, but let’s pump the brakes,” Tiafoe chuckled. “I think a lot of the crowd will still be for me.
“Obviously he will get a lot of support, no question, but the crowd will definitely be going my way. I’m not too worried about that.”
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver CupFrances Tiafoe describes his relationship with Ben Shelton before their Citi Open match
Shelton and Tiafoe are part of a successful period of men’s tennis in America.
Four men from the United States are ranked inside the top 20 and Taylor Fritz became the first ATP player from his country to reach a Grand Slam final since 2009.
Both Tiafoe and Shelton, who each have two major semifinals to their names, are hoping to make history for their country.
As they push one another to do so, Shelton and Tiafoe have maintained a great relationship, which the world number 11 described ahead of their next match.
“We are such good friends. Our girlfriends finally met. Yeah, we have had a lot of battles obviously. Davis Cup, Laver Cup. We hang out. We have fun together always,” Tiafoe added.
“We’re in a battle, man. With that friendship, we have a great rivalry, and we don’t want to lose to each other. We have a lot of bragging rights when we’re talking s**t. It’s great, man. It’s great.”