Madison Keys, the No. 17 seed at the US Open, advanced Jessica Pegula to reach the quarter finals.

This comes following her advancement to the Round of 16 with a hard-fought victory over No. 15 seed Liudmila Samsonova. In a thrilling match that ended 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, Keys mentioned that she expected a tough battle against a high-level opponent but was pleased to regain control of the match and secure the win.

Keys also credited her fiancé, fellow tennis player Bjorn Fratangelo, for helping her maintain focus on the court. Their engagement in March seems to have provided valuable support and motivation as she continues to excel in the tournament.

Also Read| Who are Mike and Denise Stearns, Peyton Stearns’ parents?

Who is Bjorn Fratangelo?

Bjorn Fratangelo, born on July 19, 1993, is a highly skilled American professional tennis player, making a name for himself in the world of tennis.

One of his significant achievements came in his junior career when he clinched the boys’ singles title at the 2011 French Open, defeating none other than Dominic Thiem in the final. This victory earned him recognition as only the second American to win this prestigious event, with the first being John McEnroe in 1977 and followed by Tommy Paul in 2015.

Also Read| 73% of Americans think Joe Biden is too old to run for President: New poll

Fratangelo’s journey into tennis began at an incredibly young age, starting to play the sport when he was just three years old. Interestingly, he is named after the legendary tennis champion, Björn Borg. His father, Mario, has played a crucial role in his tennis journey, serving as his coach. His dedication to the sport led him to make a significant move during his schooling years. He attended St. John the Baptist School in Plum, Pennsylvania, until the 8th grade. However, he relocated to Naples, Florida, to pursue more intensive tennis training. During this period, he pursued his education as an online student at Barron Collier High School.

In his junior career, Bjorn Fratangelo’s victory at the 2011 French Open propelled him to the second spot in the junior rankings, showcasing his remarkable talent at a young age. He also participated in the junior championship at the 2011 US Open, where he reached the third round but faced a formidable opponent in eventual champion Oliver Golding.

Professionally, Fratangelo’s journey began on the ITF Pro Circuit back in 2009. He started playing more consistently in 2011, which marked his entry into the professional tennis scene. He reached his first final in the USA F17 event in Pittsburgh but faced a tough opponent in Brian Baker and lost in straight sets. In the same year, he received a wildcard for the 2011 US Open qualifiers, where he competed but faced defeat in the first round of qualification against Fritz Wolmarans.

Also Read| Steve Harwell controversies: From Nazi salute to COVID concert

Over the years, Fratangelo continued to participate in various ITF Men’s Circuit events. In May 2012, he reached another final but was defeated by Tennys Sandgren in Tampa, Florida. It wasn’t until 2013 that he secured his first professional title, triumphing over Arthur De Greef in the final in Weston, Florida. He showcased remarkable consistency by reaching another final the following week, facing De Greef once more, albeit with a different outcome, as he experienced defeat in Palm Coast, Florida.

In 2016, Bjorn Fratangelo’s career took a significant leap. He won the 2016 French Open Wild Card Challenge, earning a wildcard entry into the French Open. In a memorable debut at the French Open, he defeated fellow American Sam Querrey in the first round, breaking into the top 100 for the first time in his career. Interestingly, this achievement coincided with the 60th birthday of the tennis legend he was named after, Björn Borg. Moreover, this victory marked his first-ever win in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.

Notably, Fratangelo continued to make strides in his professional career. He reached the semifinals at the 2017 Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, demonstrating his prowess on the court.

In recent years, he made his debut in mixed doubles at the 2021 US Open with Madison Keys, with whom he has been in a relationship for four years. Additionally, he teamed up with Christopher Eubanks in men’s doubles, where he recorded his first win in doubles at a Grand Slam tournament by defeating Frances Tiafoe and Nicholas Monroe in the second round.

Bjorn Fratangelo’s dedication and progress in the world of tennis are evident, and his journey continues to captivate tennis enthusiasts around the globe.