FOUR Next-Gen eligible players reached the fourth round or better at the US Open in a terrific show of the future of men’s tennis. In taking a look at the Young Guns, we look at who made their move during the Grand Slam, with some rising double-digit rankings, and one becoming the top ranked player in their nation.

Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime has achieved the best result of any Next-Gen talent, still competing in the US Open having reached his maiden Grand Slam semi-final. The 21-year-old is in his last year of Next-Gen status and is the top eligible player, most recently knocking off third ranked Next-Gen, Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter finals. Auger-Aliassime knocked off 18th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in five sets by holding his nerve after leading 2-0, whilst also coming from behind against Frances Tiafoe in the Round of 16.

He now takes on Daniil Medvedev, and whilst he is a heavy underdog in the clash with the second seed, has shown plenty of promise on the hard courts. Auger-Aliassime is now ranked 11th in the world, becoming the highest ranked Canadian above mate Denis Shapovalov (12th), and a Top 10 spot on offer if he can upset Medvedev.

Alcaraz reached the quarter finals off the back of some amazing tennis. Such a clinical and clean player, it is hard to believe the talent has not featured on the ATP Tour prominently before this year. Dominating the clay ITF circuit Alcaraz has certainly created a buzz in 2021, nicknamed ‘the next Rafa’ and he certainly has no shortage of weapons. Unfortunately the Spaniard is still getting miles in his legs, having to retire midway through the second set, but also had back-to-back five-setters against German Peter Gojowczyk and the biggest upset of the tournament, third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Spariard has bolted up 17 spots from his run to the final eight, slotting in at number 38 in the world.

Italian Jannik Sinner already has a Next-Gen title under his belt and the talent will be one of the favourites to go again. He ran into a red-hot Alexander Zverev in the Round of 16, but up until that point, looked the goods. Considering he won the 2019 Next-Gen final against Alex de Minaur aged just 18, it is easy to forget the big-serving redhead is still only 20. He moved up two spots in the world from his quarter finals run into 14th, having overcome Gael Monfils in the third round as his best victory of the tournament. He is now the clear second best Italian on Tour behind Matteo Berrettini. Fellow Next-Gen talent Lorenzo Musetti reached a second round at the US Open with a win over Emilio Nava, before going down to United States’ 22nd seed Reilly Opelka.

Speaking of the United States there was a strong continent of players at Flushing Meadows. A trio of talents who are in Next-Gen spots took part in the main draw, with 20-year-old Jenson Brooksby reaching a fourth round. Unfortunately for the American he ran into the last player you want to ever run into in world number one, Novak Djokovic who is gunning for a record 21 Grand Slam title. He did take a set off him in a stunning 6-1 fashion, before Djokovic put the foot down and won in four sets. His three wins prior to that were pretty impressive, defeating Swedish up-and-comer Mikael Ymer, American hope Taylor Fritz, and Australian Open semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev.

The two other Americans in the Next-Gen race are Sebastian Korda and Brandon Nakashima. Unfortunately the much-improved Korda – ranked 42nd in the world – only moved up three spots from his appearance at Flushing Meadows. It was little more than that though, having to retire hurt against Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili early in the second set, robbing him of his chance to shine in is home nation. Meanwhile Nakashima reached a second round after an unbelievable straight sets win over top ranked compatriot John Isner. Nakashima fought to knock off the 19th seed 7-6 7-6 6-3, but then fell against Slovakian Alex Molcan in the second round after leading two sets to one.

These seven players are in prime position to compete at the Next-Gen Finals this year, with five of the seven either representing the United States or Italy. Two players battling away for the eighth spot on the live rankings are 19-year-old Argentinian Juan Manuel Cerundolo and 20-year-old Frenchman Hugo Gaston. Cerundolo has reached a quarter final at the ATP Challenger 80 event in Baja Luka, whilst Gaston is playing at the higher ranked ATP 100 event in Tulln. Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild has dropped 10 spots in the rankings and has not played on Tour since July, while the next highest player, Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune ran into Djokovic in the first round of the US Open.

Picture credit: Garrett Ellwood/USTA