Ben Shelton Makes History at the 2023 U.S. Open
Ben Shelton, a 20-year-old American tennis player, emerged victorious in an all-American quarterfinal match against Frances Tiafoe at the 2023 U.S. Open. The thrilling match ended with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 in favor of Shelton. This victory marks Shelton’s first major semifinal appearance, and he is set to face the legendary Novak Djokovic on Friday. Djokovic, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, defeated American Taylor Fritz earlier in the day to secure his spot in the semifinals.
Tiafoe, 25, had high hopes of returning to the semifinals after his breakthrough run in New York last year. However, he fell short and has yet to advance past the quarterfinals of any other Grand Slam tournament.
Shelton’s success can be attributed to his exceptional performance in crucial moments. Despite being a relatively new professional player, he has already made a name for himself by reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open earlier this year. His powerful serve, developing all-around game, and unwavering confidence have propelled him to this stage of the U.S. Open. A defining moment in the match against Tiafoe occurred during the third-set tiebreak when Shelton double-faulted twice at 6-5, going from set-point up to set-point down. However, he quickly recovered by hitting a return winner on Tiafoe’s serve and winning the next point as well. Shelton ultimately secured a two-sets-to-one lead and went on to break Tiafoe’s first service game in the fourth set, sealing his victory.
Although Shelton’s overall record this year stands at 8-20 in matches outside of the Grand Slam tournaments, his exceptional performance in these prestigious events overshadows any previous setbacks. The upcoming match against Djokovic will undoubtedly be a challenging one for Shelton, but as a 20-year-old on an impressive run, he has nothing to lose. With the support of the crowd and the opportunity to play against one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Shelton has the chance to make history once again. Regardless of the outcome, his ranking will significantly improve, and he will secure a spot among the top 20 players in the world. If he manages to defeat Djokovic, he will soar into the top 15 and compete for the U.S. Open title on Sunday.
One of the highlights of Shelton’s match against Tiafoe was a spectacular shot that caught the attention of fans and tennis enthusiasts. The official US Open Tennis Twitter account shared a video of Shelton’s incredible display of skill and athleticism.
In a post-match interview, Shelton expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the late-night crowd, describing the match as an emotional battle. He felt that he had given his all and acknowledged the role the crowd played in pushing him over the finish line.
Shelton’s journey to the quarterfinals involved defeating several formidable opponents, including Pedro Cachin, Dominic Thiem, Aslan Karatsev, and Tommy Paul. His remarkable achievements at such a young age make him the youngest American man to reach a major semifinal since Andy Roddick in 2003 and the youngest at the U.S. Open since Michael Chang in 1992.
As Shelton continues to make waves in the tennis world, fans and analysts eagerly await his upcoming match against Djokovic. The clash between the young American phenom and the seasoned Serbian champion promises to be an exhilarating display of skill and determination. Shelton’s journey at the 2023 U.S. Open is a testament to his talent and potential, and it will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the world of tennis.
(Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran / USA Today)