Australian Open 2022 - So far, it's the American Dream for four women and four men at the Australian Open

There were no Americans in the quarterfinals of the singles draw at the US Open in September.

No men. No women. No one.

It was the first time in over a century of tournament history there had been such an absence, and it was the latest blow for the once-dominant tennis nation. For years, fans and pundits have wondered who, if anyone, could replace Serena and Venus Williams as the face of American tennis and contend for major titles, and while women like Sloane Stephens and Sofia Kenin have won Grand Slams, no one has been able to consistently win on the sport's highest stage. On the men's side, the drought extends to Andy Roddick's 2003 victory at the US Open.

It's far too early to know how things will go at the Australian Open, and perhaps the U.S. will again suffer a similar fate in the second week, but maybe, just maybe, there are signs for optimism in Melbourne. There are four women and four men into the third round, and of those, five are under 25.

Those younger players bring a range of experience, potential and résumé. Some — like Amanda Anisimova, who reached the semifinals at the French Open in 2019, and Sebastian Korda, who has twice reached a major fourth round — have already had undeniable success in their careers, but others such as Maxime Cressy are into the round of 32 for the first time at a major. It's a promising development for the country, and it raises the oft-discussed question:

Has the next generation of American tennis players finally arrived?

Pam Shriver, the 21-time major doubles champion and current ESPN analyst, believes this young crop of players are talented but isn't quite ready to answer that question.

«It's difficult because I see excitement over results that in the past would have been