Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton joined forces against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Baodsa at the US Open Mixed Madness exhibition event. The American duo produced a moment of hilarity during the blockbuster clash, when Gauff’s attempt to high-five Shelton failed spectacularly.
As anticipation for the commencement of the main-draw action at the US Open builds, the likes of Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fritz, Amanda Anisimova and the aforementioned four added to the excitement by treating fans to a mixed doubles extravaganza.
With a spot in the final on the line, Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton squared off against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa in a closely contested battle. They put on a show for the audience as Shelton stunned Tsitsipas with an impressive shot at the net.
Gauff approached her compatriot to show her appreciation with a high-five, but Shelton was too absorbed in his own celebration to notice her gesture, leaving her hanging. The World No. 3 hilariously made up for it by high-fiving herself.
Despite Gauff and Shelton’s efforts, Tsitsipas and Badosa secured a crucial break of serve to claim a 6-4 victory. The duo went on to triumph at the mixed doubles exhibition event, beating Taylor Fritz and Amanda Anisimova 6-3 in the final.
Coco Gauff gears up for title defense at US Open 2024; Ben Shelton aims to end American men’s 21-year drought at home Slam
Coco Gauff is aiming for a successful title defense at the 2024 US Open, having defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final last year to clinch her maiden Grand Slam title.
In a recent appearance on the Tennis Channel, Lindsay Davenport endorsed the World No. 3 as the American woman with the “best chance” to triumph at the New York Major.
“(The American woman) to win a Major again, I agree (with former ATP star Sam Querrey, who was also present in the Tennis Channel studio), it’s Coco Gauff who has the best chance,” Davenport said.
However, Gauff’s form has been a cause for concern ahead of the US Open. Unlike last year, when she triumphed at the Citi Open and the Cincinnati Open before entering the New York Major, the American has suffered early exits at both the Canadian Open and the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati this season.
Ben Shelton, meanwhile, will be striving to become the first American man to emerge victorious at the US Open since Andy Roddick’s victory in 2003. The 21-year-old reached the semifinals of his home Slam last year, where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
