Although Ben Shelton is just 20 several years old, the US Open up semifinalist has currently rewritten tennis record. He became the lowest-ranked American male to arrive at a Grand Slam semifinal spherical given that Jimmy Connors 32 many years previously, for every ESPN Stats & Information.
Ben Shelton is in the US Open up semis as the 47th-ranked player in the world.
He’s the most affordable ranked American gentleman to arrive at a Grand Slam semifinal given that Jimmy Connors in 1991 (rated 174th at age 39). pic.twitter.com/H6ygsIX8P1
— ESPN Stats & Facts (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 6, 2023
Shelton attained that gaudy milestone soon after he defeat fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinal spherical on Tuesday. Their match experienced a number of historic implications. First, it was the initially quarterfinal match between two African-American males considering the fact that 1968. It was also the first US Open quarterfinal in 18 yrs among two males who played on their dwelling soil.
Shelton also manufactured background a single round earlier. He grew to become the youngest American male considering the fact that Andy Roddick to get to the US Open quarterfinal round immediately after beating compatriot Tommy Paul in the fourth spherical.
Ben Shelton, a tall and rangy lefty, gave last year’s US Open finalist matches from the opening established. The former’s remaining-handed forehands clocked at minimum 100 mph. Shelton even experienced an ace that experienced an exit velocity of 138 mph. The shot drew a loud reaction from the sellout group at very hot and muggy Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday.
Tiafoe drew even with Shelton 1 set apiece just after he dominated the next stanza, 6-3. The 3rd set was a barnburner than could’ve long gone possibly way. However, Shelton at some point won the tiebreaker and never ever appeared back again. He gained with a ultimate rating of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 to clinch his initial US Open up semifinal appearance.
Upcoming up for Ben Shelton is 23-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic – the GOAT in Dick Vitale’s impression. Irrespective of the final result, Shelton will carry the legacy of his American predecessors Jimmy Connors and Andy Roddick.