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.

During his post-match on-court interview, 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 left shoulder after a forehand in the opening game of the fourth set, describing the sensation to his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, as “I did something to my shoulder. I don’t know what it is. I’m in a lot of pain.” The injury forced a medical timeout just three points into the game. Though he attempted to power through, adapting his aggressive, serve-and-volley style with more cautious net approaches, the pain only intensified. Shelton later admitted it was “the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life,” and, visibly emotional, he made the heartbreaking decision to retire— his first-ever mid-match retirement at tour level. His exit came despite leading two sets to one, and left the crowd and commentators convinced that, fit, he likely would’ve continued his deep run at Flushing Meadows.

Tommy Paul fought longer, but his body sent warning signs. After surviving a marathon five-setter against Nuno Borges in his opening match, challenging him physically with a match that extended into the early morning, Paul’s next encounter with Bublik laid bare his physical limitations. During the second-set tiebreak, he requested an off-court medical timeout to address apparent discomfort in his lower back. Though he returned to the court, the earlier issue, in combination with lingering fatigue and past injury concerns, clearly affected his movement and resilience. In the fifth set, his body gave way: he collapsed under Bublik’s persistent pressure, ultimately losing the match and exiting the tournament.

But Bublik’s moment on the court after victory 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 was the last man standing. But the work is far from over.

Injuries lay waste to American hopes as Alexander Bublik prepares for what’s next

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. But while Bublik marches on, he is about to go up against none other than Jannik Sinner in the Round of 16, and he is a little worried.

When he finally decided to address the reporter’s awe at how incredible his service game has been, he shrugged, “Yes, it is. I have no explanation.” But then again, he knows that chances are, it’s going to happen against the reigning Wimbledon champion.“I was playing today, and I was like, eventually it’s going to happen, right? So, I had, he (Paul) had a couple of set points, and then I was serving pretty much. I was like, okay, let’s hope not today. I mean, I have a next match against Jannik. So, probably that will be the match. I would probably drop a couple of serves.”

Well, while the Kazakh got the better of him in their last encounter—a three-setter in the Round of 16 at Halle which ended 6-3, 6-3, 6-4—Jannik Sinner still leads the head-to-head tally at 4-2. The only other victory to Bublik’s name also came at Halle two years ago, when Sinner had to retire mid-match. Considering all that and Sinner’s recent form, it’s more than understandable why the match seems “really tough” to the Kazakh.

Of course, he is far from being hopeless, but he had to acknowledge that the Italian may have an advantage if the match stretches too long. “In five-set format, I haven’t done it yet, but you know, I try to use my chances, get to recovery now. And I hope I’m not going to be playing 11 o’clock,” he said. Well, for the lack of a better phrase, only time will tell what happens. And if you want to stay updated on whatever is going down at Flushing Meadows, head to EssentiallySports’ live blog of the US Open.