Australian Open 2023: Quarterfinals! Ben Shelton's wondrous journey continues
Ben Shelton is sensationally in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open 2023. The American showed a strong fighting performance against compatriot JJ Wolf and kept the upper hand in five sets.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jan 23, 2023, 09:08 am
Ben Shelton could not have dreamed of his first tennis trip outside of the USA much better. The American youngster shows impressive tennis in his first appearances outside his home country - and is sensationally in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open 2023. In a duel with compatriot JJ Wolf, the 20-year-old showed great fighting qualities, after a 1: 2 set deficit the world number one saved 89 finally the five-set success over the finish line.
The start of this match was service-heavy - both Wolf and Shelton dominated their service games, and in the tie-break that followed, Wolf scored the first effective hit. Shelton stayed on, made the first break of the match in section two and equalized the set 6: 2. After all, round three was a reflection of the first section, again clear service games predominated, again a tie-break had to make the decision. And again Wolf kept his nerve - with 7: 6 (4) the American made 2: 1 sets.
Shelton nerves of steel
Nothing was to change in this tone in the episode, Shelton withstood the pressure, overcame some tricky situations and literally saved himself in a tie-break. And now came to play. The 20-year-old got off to a better start in the short decision - and made it 7: 6 (4) to 2: 2. Again in this crazy Australian Open 2023 a decisive sentence had to decide about victory or defeat.
In this, the 20-year-old Shelton could no longer be tamed, the youngster made the early break, pulled away to 3-0 and could not be dissuaded. After almost four hours, the American finally fixed the 6: 7 (5), 6: 2, 6: 7 (4), 7: 6 (4) and 6: 2 success. It is the first Grand Slam quarterfinals in Shelton's young career. And it's a big surprise. "It's been a dream so far," said Shelton after reaching the last eight.
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