ATP: Ben Shelton - the next college boy on the tour
Ben Shelton , a 19-year-old American who recently dominated the college scene, reached the second round of the ATP Tour 250 tournament in Atlanta.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Jul 27, 2022, 07:06 pm
Of course, there are more unpleasant lots in the first round of an ATP Tour 250 tournament than Ramkumar Ramanathan, with all due respect to the Indian. But he has to be defeated first. Especially when the first match success on the tour is at stake. And Ben Shelton, 19 years young, was no slouch. The teenager prevailed against Ramanathan 6:2 and 7:5. And is now allowed to play against a man who in any case must be described as an unpleasant lot:John Isner , number two in Atlanta, who started with a bye.
Shelton will gladly accept this challenge. Resourceful spirits on social networks have traced the rise of the American over the past twelve months: Shelton earned his first ATP point on June 30, 2021, and just over four weeks later he won his first future tournament. In mid-August last year, Shelton failed in the final of the American U-18 championship.
Shelton beats tournament winner van Rijthoven
At the end of May 2022 he will win the college championship in the USA, and in mid-July Shelton will be in the semifinals of the ATP Challenger tournament in Indianapolis. With victories against Tim van Rijthoven (this year's champion in 's-Hertogenbosch) and Max Purcell, who won the double title in Wimbledon alongside Matthew Ebden.
So now it's against John Isner, now 37 years old. And something like the "Mr. Atlanta". Because Isner has already won this event six times, most recently last year. A new experience for the 1.91 meter tall Shelton, who earned his college degree for the University of Florida. In any case, he will continue to improve in the world rankings thanks to his success against Ramanathan: In the live rankings, the American has already made up 33 places and is in 248th position.