Ben Shelton's opponent speaks out as American retires from US Open in tears

Adrian Mannarino admitted that Ben Shelton "probably" would have beaten him, had he not picked up a tournament-ending shoulder injury during their third-round match in Flushing Meadows. Shelton was the No. 6 seed at the US Open, and came into the tournament in form after winning his biggest career title in Toronto.

But he injured his shoulder while winning a thrilling rally on set point in the third set, and was seen grabbing it in pain throughout the fourth set. Shelton even received medical treatment from the physio in the middle of a game, but he retired in tears when Mannarino took the set to level the score at 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4.

World No. 77 Mannarino had left the court for an end-of-set comfort break when Shelton called the physio for the final time and started to tear up, accepting his fate. His father and coach, Bryan, was also seen signalling to quit the match.

The American waited for Mannarino to return to the Louis Armstrong Stadium before he officially retired, and departed the court with a towel covering his head. Afterwards, the Frenchman said it was "of course" not the way he wanted to win.

"When he started to have pain he was leading in the match, honestly, he would have probably won that match," Mannarino said of his opponent.

"That's very unfortunate for him and lucky for me. I don't really know what to say right now. Of course I'm happy to get through and I wish him the best, of course."

Aged 37, Mannarino had never previously made it to the second week of the US Open. But thanks to Shelton's retirement, he will feature in the last 16 here for the first time.

The Frenchman made things difficult for Shelton before the injury reared its head, taking the second set and making the third a close affair. Despite the outcome, Mannarino loved every minute he spent on court.

He added: "I was having good fun on the court, there were really long rallies, I was losing some of them, winning some of the, but I think it was a pretty cool match to play.

"Ben is playing really well, he kicked my a** in the beginning of the summer. He's such an amazing player, it was a great match. I was enjoying my time on the court, even if I was losing, it was a pretty cool match and thanks all of you guys for being nice for me, cheering for Ben of course but still having good fun."

It's not just the first time that Mannarino has made it to the fourth round in New York. "I'm 37 years old and it's my first time that I'm winning a match from the toilet!" he joked.

"Always new things coming up! I'm still enjoying my time on the court and I hope I'm going to extend it for a little while."

The world No. 77 will now face Jiri Lehecka, the 20th seed, who had also never been to the second week of the US Open until now. Lehecka beat Raphael Collignon 6-4 6-4 6-4 earlier on Friday.

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