A victory over native favorite Alexei Popyrin will probably be Ben Shelton’s lasting reminiscence from his first Australian Open – and first journey abroad – because the rising US star plots additional success at grand slams.
Though Shelton’s dream run led to a quarter-final defeat to fellow American Tommy Paul on Wednesday, Melbourne Park may by no means have featured a happier loser.
The 20-year-old was all smiles as he embraced Paul on the web and revelled in a standing ovation from the gang, displaying his appreciation by holding up a heart-hand image to followers as he departed Rod Laver Arena.
“They’ve supported me and I definitely didn’t expect it coming into this tournament, being an American,” Shelton mentioned.
“They kind of treated me like one of their own and it was really fun to play with the support behind me during my matches.
“There had been a number of smiles about that and I undoubtedly exceeded my expectations this week with what I assumed I might do on the courtroom, not simply tennis-wise however bodily.
“Being able to get through as many as three-five-set matches as I did, I’ve only played one before in my career, so I was pretty pleased with myself in that aspect as well.”
Shelton has solely lately dived into the skilled tour after taking part in US faculty tennis in Florida.
The 89th-ranked left-hander felt his on-court mentality had improved throughout the shock run into the Open’s second week, which can guarantee he rockets into the world’s high 50.
Shelton’s breakout efficiency at a serious included a composed show towards Popyrin within the third spherical, which led to a straight-sets win.
“The match against Popyrin is going to stay with me for a while,” Shelton mentioned.
“The atmosphere on John Cain (Arena) was probably one of the cooler matches that I’ve been a part of.
“(It was) type of like a Davis Cup really feel. That’s one reminiscence on courtroom that can persist with me for a very long time.”
Shelton and Paul featured alongside Sebastian Korda in the Open quarter-finals as three American men reached the last eight of a grand slam for the first time since 2005.
Together, they’re part of a rising crop of American tennis stars that includes world No.9 Taylor Fritz and 17th-ranked Frances Tiafoe, who made the US Open semi-finals last year.
Shelton is bullish about the next generation’s hopes of ending an American men’s major title drought that dates back to Roddick’s US Open triumph 20 years ago.
“I’ve actually excessive hopes,” Shelton mentioned.
“I do not see why on the finish of this yr we could not have 5 – 6 guys within the high 20 with the way in which a few of these guys are taking part in.
“I think there’s a lot of hope for American tennis and I’m really looking forward to being a part of it.”
Shelton, who’s finishing his faculty diploma on-line, will return to the US for his subsequent match earlier than tackling the purple clay courts of Europe.
