Beaten Australian Alexei Popyrin believes his Australian Open conqueror Ben Shelton can surge into the world’s prime 10 inside six months.
After a rousing upset of eighth seed Taylor Fritz on Thursday, Popyrin was no match for the 20-year-old American and went down 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 on John Cain Arena.
Popyrin continues to seek for an elusive spot within the second week of a serious, having bowed out within the third spherical of a grand slam for the fifth time.
The left-handed Shelton’s serve and forehand was on music, powering him into the fourth spherical in simply his second grand slam.
“Honestly, if this is the way he plays day in, day out, the guy is top 10 in six months,” Popyrin stated.
“Maybe he can play better than the way he played today, but if he continues playing the way he played like this, then he’s a force to be reckoned with.
“I do not assume I did a lot unsuitable. I believe after I had my likelihood, he performed them out.”
Shelton has recently stepped up his efforts on the professional tour after playing college tennis in Florida.
His father, Bryan, played professionally for almost a decade and made the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1994.
The youngster’s trip to Melbourne Park is the first time he has ventured outside of the United States.
“I attempt to preserve myself grounded and know that when there’s highs, there’s at all times lows,” Shelton stated.
“I’m not anticipating a ton from myself.
“I want to do well, and I want to improve my game, but I’m trying not to put number limitations in my head because there’s always something more that you can strive for.”
Shelton will face fellow American and world No.67 J.J. Wolf for a spot within the quarter-finals.
Wolf is one other participant to have made a shocking surge in the course of the first grand slam of the 12 months, having by no means performed at a serious outdoors of the US Open.
The 24-year-old has twice reached the third spherical at Flushing Meadows.
