American tennis star Ben Shelton has damaged a 31-year document on the US Open after defeating World No. 10 and fellow countryman Frances Tiafoe. The match noticed Shelton progress to the semi-finals after a four-set thriller having been on the ATP Tour for lower than a yr.
Shelton impressed all through the tie towards Tiafoe and after 4 units the teenager finally gained 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 which units up a conflict towards world No. 2 Novak Djokovic subsequent.
The quarter-final win noticed him vastly enhance on final yr’s efficiency the place he suffered a primary spherical knock-out towards Portugal’s Nuno Borges at Flushing Meadows.
While Shelton’s newest victory to succeed in his first Grand Slam semifinal was a formidable feat, he has additionally written his title into the historical past books. The victory sees him grow to be the youngest American male to succeed in the US Open semi-finals since Michael Chang in 1992.
Reflecting on the end result after the match Shelton admitted it was each a bodily and psychological battle to safe the win. “I think the mental has improved more than the physical,” he stated in his post-match press convention.
“There’s plenty of times where I could have gone over to my box today and said, ‘Guys, I’m cooked. I’m tired. I don’t know if I can go anymore.’ Instead, I told myself, ‘I’m fine and he’s feeling it too.’ I think being able to flip it in your head is more than half the battle.
“I think I’ve definitely made some strides physically being out on tour a full year and playing a lot of matches and just being on the court more, working hard in the gym. My fitness levels have surely improved and I think all that together is kind of what happened today.”
Shelton later admitted that he is relishing the chance to play against three-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. “It doesn’t get a lot better than that,” he admitted. “It’s been powerful the final two matches, I’ve been taking part in Americans. But hopefully you guys convey it for me two nights from now?”
Djokovic has also returned the favour and spoke highly of his opponent ahead of the game. “It’s nice that Ben Shelton, for instance, a participant that got here from faculty tennis, is taking part in on the best stage, producing some wonderful tennis,” he stated.
“I think it’s a great message for all the players who want to go to college but then still keep on playing professionally. It proves that it is possible, which maybe up to 15, 20 years ago, it was completely different.”
The pair will subsequent be in motion on Friday on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
