Shelton Moves Into A Meeting With World No. One

Ben Shelton is into the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the primary time, defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(1), 7-5 on Monday afternoon in a hard-fought fourth-round match on No. 1 Court docket.

After a sluggish begin, the 22-year-old American stormed again, dominating the second set. The third was tightly contested, with each gamers exchanging breaks, however Shelton rose to the event within the tiebreak—producing a stretch of good tennis that included sharp serving, an athletic stab volley, a fragile drop shot adopted by a lob, a crisp serve-and-volley, and a large down-the-line forehand return. He then broke late within the fourth set to seal the win in three hours and 4 minutes.

It was Shelton’s third Grand Slam win over Sonego this 12 months, having already overwhelmed him on the Australian Open and Roland Garros. Their frequent matchups now carry historic weight: the 2 are the primary pair to face off on the first three majors of a season since Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe in 1984.

“Plenty of issues that I’m happy with myself—the way in which I dealt with that match, profitable it in 4 units,” Shelton stated afterward. “And a few issues I positively need to do higher shifting ahead for the remainder of the event.”

Shelton’s serve was as soon as once more a central issue. He hit 8 aces, received 74% of his first-serve factors, and clocked a quickest serve of 146 mph. He struck 47 winners—20 from the forehand facet—and offset them with 41 unforced errors, reflecting his aggressive method.

Although Sonego matched him with 8 aces and 72% first-serve factors received, Shelton pulled away at key moments. He dominated the third-set tiebreak 7-1 and delivered the decisive break at 6-5 within the fourth to shut out the match.

Shelton’s return sport additionally confirmed its improvement—one thing he’s been actively working on.

“I need to be among the best returners on the planet,” he stated. “I’m on my manner. I’m definitely not there but, however I’m significantly better than I used to be once I began out on tour. Within the moments the place I wanted it most, I returned effectively right this moment.”

Off the courtroom, Shelton has made essentially the most of his time in London, staying in a home with household and pals.

“It’s been an pleasing expertise having the ability to share these wins with them,” Shelton stated.

“It’s not all the time that you just get to remain in a home with your loved ones and do issues collectively. We spend a whole lot of time collectively.

“This has been actually cool for me and particular to be as deep as I’ve ever been at Wimbledon, deeper than I’ve ever been, and have all these individuals right here with me.”

He additionally mirrored on his early recollections of Wimbledon—watching matches along with his father, Bryan Shelton, a former professional who reached the fourth spherical at Wimbledon in 1994 and now coaches Ben.

“My dad, he all the time has tennis on the TV. We get again from a visit. If I find yourself going over to his home, it’s like he’s been watching tennis for 4 weeks straight. Masters, a slam, a pair 500s. I stroll in the lounge, sitting there, tennis on the TV. I’m like, Dude, go play golf or one thing (smiling).

“Yeah, he’s a extreme, extreme scholar of the sport. So these are form of first recollections, whether or not it was the 2019 Novak and Roger remaining, a bunch of others. I don’t keep in mind precisely who was taking part in. Sort of late within the event, simply the extremely anticipated matches, getting glued to the TV for a number of hours, for certain.”

Already a semifinalist on the US Open and Australian Open, Shelton continues to rise on the most important levels. He’ll now look to go a step additional at Wimbledon.

“I feel it’s a fantastic alternative for me to go for it and be aggressive and are available after whoever I’m taking part in,” he stated. “Attempt to get to the semifinals at Wimbledon for the primary time.”