U.S. Open is a letdown for American men as drought continues

Any way you swing it, this year’s U.S. Open was a letdown for the American men.

The Americans entered the tournament at Flushing Meadows with a chance to build on the momentum of last year, when Taylor Fritz advanced to the Open final and Frances Tiafoe joined him (and lost to him) in the semifinals.

The U.S. had four men — No. 4 Fritz, No. 6 Ben Shelton, No. 14 Tommy Paul and No. 17 Tiafoe — seeded within the top 20 at this year’s event.

But none made it past the quarterfinal, nor did any of the Americans ranked below them.

It’s been 22 years since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open in 2003. That’s the last time an American man won the U.S. Open — or any Grand Slam, for that matter.

“This is my favorite tournament,” Shelton said on Aug. 22, two days before the start of the Open. “I