Despite fourth-round exits, positives for American men at US Open

WATCH: Jenson Brooksby has been one to watch all summer—culminating in a four-set clash with Novak Djokovic at the US Open.

There will be no Americans competing in the quarterfinals of the US Open, a first in the tournament's history. But though that might seem like a new low, the American men who did reach the second week say they are actually on the upswing.

The American presence finished with 20-year-old Jenson Brooksby falling to No. 1 Novak Djokovic in four sets in the fourth round—but not before he took the first set 6-1, and then contested a grueling second set that went more than an hour during the 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 encounter.

"It's definitely all positive things to take away. I learned my game. I'm feeling really confident in my game. I believe I can compete with anybody," said Brooksby, who has gone up more than 100 spots in the rankings and also reached the semifinals at Washington D.C., and the final at Newport.

"It's definitely exciting seeing at this level and getting more confidence week by week that I can keep rising high."

Reilly Opelka went down in the fourth round to Lloyd Harris in what he called the "worst serving performance'' he has had during the tournament. But the 24-year-old also found positives in reaching the second week and also getting to his first Masters final at Toronto, which will lift him to a spot inside the Top 20 next week.

I don't think we will have a Sampras, Agassi era of just dominance like that again. It's rare for any country. But I think Brooksby is our best, Brooksby and [Sebastian] Korda are our best top candidates for maybe winning a Slam, of the young guys. Reilly Opelka

"I learned a lot about myself," he said. "I hope I can kind of just keep things rolling.

"I learned I can win a lot of matches not serving great, returning great...I have expanded my kind of my toolbox to win, to beat some top guys, some unbelievable tennis players when I might have a part of my game that's not firing.

"I think off the court I do a lot of things great. I think I put a good team around, I think my coach, physio, I think everyone on my team."

While it's been a breakthrough event for some, others have been having a resurgence—Frances Tiafoe among them.

"Yeah, no, definitely gave me a second wind, for sure. I've been beating a lot of quality guys on a normal basis," said Tiafoe, who is ranked No. 50 but got as high as No.29 in 2019. "I just want to kind of keep it up and not be so up and down, kind of just be a little more consistent and just bring the tennis.

"Before I was [No.] 21, 28, 29 in the world. I got complacent, got pretty comfortable.

"Now I'm on a rebuilding stage. I'm playing great tennis. On any given day I can beat anybody in the world."

He's also convinced that American men's tennis is rebuilding itself.

"Americans are playing great tennis," Tiafoe said. "I'm happy to be a part of it. Yeah, and I think we're all going to hit a pretty good stride here soon. Reilly is playing great, [Taylor] Fritz is playing great, Jenson Brooksby. So, you know, and many others, you know, that I haven't named."

The next step, adds Opelka, is to have more players at the top of the game.

"You know, we have I think 14 or 15 Americans in the top 100, so we've got a huge group of guys there. We just don't have the world beaters. I think it's just—you know, I don't think we will have a Sampras, Agassi era of just dominance like that again. It's rare for any country.

"But I think Brooksby is our best, Brooksby and [Sebastian] Korda are our best top candidates for maybe winning a Slam, of the young guys."

Opelka will become the top-ranked American for the first time following the Open, moving in front of John Isner.

Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open, and is the most recent American to capture a men's Grand Slam singles title.