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Tennis fans are rejoicing at the dramatic rise of American tennis, with countryman Ben Shelton making the quarterfinals of the 2023 Australian Open in just his second Grand Slam main draw appearance.
Ben Shelton made his Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2022 US Open as a wild card entrant. Although luck eluded him at the tournament, facing a five-setter loss in the opening round, the youngster has managed to bounce right back and go the extra mile at the first Grand Slam of 2023 Down Under.
20-year-old Shelton, the son of former American tennis player Bryan Shelton, surpassed his father's career record at the Majors by making it into the quarterfinals in just his first trip outside the United States. Additionally, the young American, who turned pro in August 2022, ranked just inside the Top-200, is now placed at World No. 43 in the live rankings and has already passed his father's career-high ranking of World No. 55.
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Tennis fans were thus impressed by the young talent and lauded his on-going run at the Australian Open.
"Ben Shelton has already done in his 2nd major what his father Bryan couldn't do in 23 Slam attempts - advancement to the quarterfinals. Bryan was two points away to do this at Wimbledon '94 as he led 7:6* (30-all) in 5th vs Bergstrom," one fan noted.
Many fans suggested that the 20-year-old's success was a big deal for US tennis, which has seen a boom in both men's and women's sides, with as many as 11 men and 14 women ranked inside the top-100 - the most of any country.
"A big deal for US Men’s Tennis. Some amazing promise for the future. Let’s go," one fan said.
Here are a few more reactions from fans:
American Ben Shelton's run at Australian Open 2023
Ranked World No. 89, Ben Shelton gained direct entry into the main draw at the Grand Slam this time around. In his first round at the Australian Open, the 20-year-old miraculously saved a match point against him to score his first career Grand Slam victory against China's Zhizhen Zhang 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (4).
In the second round, the American defeated Chilean Nicolas Jarry in straight sets 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), 7-5. The third round was a test against an inspired Aussie, Alexei Popyrin, who came off of a praise-worthy victory against American No. 1 Taylor Fritz. Ben Shelton, however, played a strategic game to down the home-hope in yet another straight-sets victory of 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-4.
The fourth round was against his compatriot J. J. Wolf, and while Wolf pushed the young countryman to his limit, Shelton kept his nerve to outlast the opponent in five sets 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-2.
The World No. 89 now awaits the winner of Roberto Bautista Agut vs Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Australian Open.
