2 African Americans Tiafoe, Shelton in showdown at US Open today

Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, two African Americans will slug it out at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the U.S. Open quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The showdown between the duo marks the first time in 15 years – since James Blake played Donald Young in the 2008 first round – that two Black American men will face off in the world’s largest tennis venue.

They will also be playing in a stadium named after an African American icon, who fought for racial equality.

Tuesday’s contest will also be the first time that two Black American men have been in the quarter-finals of the hardcourt major at the same time, another sign of progress in a historically white sport.

Tiafoe, in particular, has emerged as a flag bearer for the American fans, beloved for his extraordinary skills but also his charismatic personality and larger-than-life showmanship on the court.

The moment is certainly not lost on 25 year-old Tiafoe, who a year ago made history as the first Black American man to reach the semi-finals at Flushing since Ashe in 1972.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere, I think great representation for people of colour, right?” he told reporters.

“Two people of colour playing in the quarter-finals, huge match on Arthur Ashe. It’s a pretty monumental moment.”

Ben Shelton, a left hander is just 20 years old.

He qualified for the second time in his career for the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, beating fellow American Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 on Sunday.

Shelton leads the US Open with 62 aces and has hit by far the fastest serves.