Paul, Shelton, Korda bid to back up Australian Open breakthroughs in 2024

The 2023 Australian Open was a statement of intent for U.S. men's tennis—particularly for the three Americans who advanced to the quarterfinals or beyond. For the first time since 2000, three American men were among the last eight Down Under: Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton and Sebastian Korda.

It was also the first time since the 2005 US Open that the U.S. produced three singles quarterfinalists at the same men's major, with all three enjoying career-best Grand Slam runs in Melbourne. The hot starts also paved the way for career-high ATP Rankings in 2023 for each of Paul, Shelton and Korda.

Paul, who beat Shelton in the quarterfinals, hit a high of No. 12 in October, while Shelton rose to No. 15 and Korda to No. 23 in the same month. The trio now joins Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe among five seeded Americans in the 2024 Melbourne singles draw.

Paul had not been beyond the fourth round at a major until his AO breakthrough, which came on the heels of a strong finish to 2022 that included ATP Masters 1000s quarterfinals in Montreal and Paris. As one of the new stars of season two of Netflix's 'Break Point,' Paul reflected on his maturation as a professional, which is now reaping major rewards.

“When I turned pro, I was kind of in my party phase,” the 26-year-old said on the show. “Got a little money in my pocket and I just thought ‘Let’s have fun,’ you know? Kind of got caught up in it.”

Now thriving under the tutelage of American coach Brad Stine, Paul is within striking distance of the ATP's Top 10 and the honor of American No. 1. After beginning his 2024 season with an opening-round victory in Adelaide, the AO 14th seed will open his campaign against Frenchman Gregoire Barrere.

The American also features in the new season of 'Break Point.'

“It’s hard to believe that I’ve accomplished that at 20 years old, but I don’t like to put a ceiling on myself,” said Shelton, who turned 21 in October—just before winning his first ATP title in Tokyo. “I want to continue to push forward. I’m ready to compete at the highest level. I don’t want this to be my peak.”

After picking up his first two wins of 2024 in a semifinal run in Auckland, Shelton will face Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in the Australian Open first round. Unseeded at the event last season during his quarterfinal run, Shelton is seeded 16th for his second Melbourne appearance.

Korda was the only one of the three American quarterfinalist to be seeded last year in Melbourne. As the 29th seed, he notched upset wins against Daniil Medvedev and Hubert Hurkacz in succession to reach the last eight—though he was forced to retire at that stage with a wrist injury that plagued him against Karen Khachanov.