‘Evolving’ Ben Shelton plays cool in Shanghai vs. Denis Shapovalov ATP Tour

Matching Report

‘Evolving’ Shelton plays it well in the Shanghai vs. Shapovalov

Paul beats Fognini, Muller upsets Auger-Aliassime

October 04, 2024

Ben Shelton improved to 11-0 in his opening rounds at ATP Masters 1000s and Grand Slams this season with a strong showing against Denis Shapovalov on Friday at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The 21-year-old American did not face a break point in a 6-3, 7-5 victory that extended his overall Lexus ATP Head2Head record to 3-0 in Canadian qualifiers.

All three of those meetings have come this season, with Shelton previously winning in five sets at Wimbledon and advancing through retirement at the nearby Washington tournament. Shapovalov changed his tactics in Shanghai, but could not change the result.

“I think some of the habits and things that I expected, he changed today,” Shelton said, referring to his opponent’s eating patterns and directional play from the baseline. “I was looking at a few things and I was surprised by some of the things he did on the court.”

The American was in control throughout the one-hour, 17-minute match and made it clear that he stayed strong in the stadium, forgoing some of the wild celebrations fans have become accustomed to seeing when Shelton puts on a show.

“I’m trying to work on being a little more calm and focused on the court,” explained the number 17 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “I think it’s important for my evolution, and the development of my game, to be able to stay focused for a long time and lock in to play at a high level for more than one set. I thought. I did a good job of that today and I’m happy with how I stayed focused on my style of play and focused there.

Shelton missed two break opportunities at 4-4 in the second set but quickly made up for it with his second break of the day at 5-5, Shapovalov missed an effort to seal the break. The American hit 21 match winners according to Infosys ATP Stats, mixing deft touch and nine-pointers with his trademark power play. He hit two successful shots to take a 5-2 lead in the opening set, battling for a volley winner to back up the first.

Shelton will next face 21st-ranked Arthur Fils or Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena. He was able to see a Shanghai rematch with Jannik Sinner in the last 16, one year after beating the Italian in the third tie-break in their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

A busy day at the office 💼@TommyPaul1 advanced to Round 3 in Shanghai, d. Fognini 6-1 6-3.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/IpnpG7jZJk

– ATP Tour (@atptour) October 4, 2024

Tommy Paul opened his Shanghai campaign with an early win on Friday, beating Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-3 in an hour flat. The result earned Paul his 40th win for the second straight season, after 41 in 2023. Eleven of his victories this season have come at the ATP Masters 1000s, highlighted by semi-final runs in Indian Wells and Rome.

Other early action saw Alexandre Muller upset 18th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-2, while 19th seed Alejandro Tabilo beat Arthur Rinderknech 6-3, 6-2 to arrange a meeting with Paul.