"If I was out for 2 years, you wouldn't see me winning matches"- Ben Shelton 'surprised' by Reilly Opelka's comeback journey after Cincinnati Open win

Ben Shelton got the better of Reilly Opelka in the first round of the 2024 Cincinnati Open. Shelton was happy to see his compatriot back on tour. The World No. 14 claimed if he was out for the time Opelka was sidelined, he would not have been winning matches so early.

Opelka began his hiatus from professional tennis in mid-2022. After over a year-long break, he returned to play an ATP Challenger event in October 2023 but his injury persisted and he took another break of around eight months. During the break, he underwent multiple surgeries including on his wrist and hip.

The 6 ft 11 inch-tall American, who boasts a powerful serve, earned a wildcard main draw entry into the 2024 Hall of Fame Open in mid-July. He reached the semifinal of the ATP 250 event on his return. Further, he has earned wildcard entries into the Citi Open and the Cincinnati Open.

In Cincinnati, he faced another strong server - Ben Shelton. The Americans did not have much to separate from each other as neither converted the multiple break points they earned. Shelton, however, was effective in the tiebreakers and won the match 7-6(3), 7-6(3).

During a post-match interview with Tennis Channel, Shelton was asked if he was surprised by Opelka's string of wins since coming back.

"Yeah, I’m really surprised. I was just telling someone, if I was out for two years, you wouldn’t see me out here at ATP level winning matches the way he is. I might have to start at the challengers or the futures, but he’s come out right away and he’s winning matches every week," Ben Shelton said. [0:46 onwards]

"So, I think that's just a testament to how hard he’s worked to bring himself back and how many skills and tools that he has apart from that serve," he added.

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"I'm just happy to see his face out here" - Ben Shelton had fun sharing the court with Reilly Opelka in Cincinnati Open 1R

Ben Shelton. (Source: Getty)

After earning the win over Reilly Opelka, Ben Shelton wrote on the camera:

"Bot v. Bot Good to have you back Reilly.”

The 21-year-old alluded to the pair being called bots for their impressive serves. Justifying his 'bot' reputation, Opelka fired 19 aces against Shelton in their Cincinnati Open first-round match to the 12th seed's six.

Further, during the same interview with Tennis Channel, Shelton expressed happiness at Opelka's return.

"It's fun sharing the court with him. He's just such a great guy and a friend of mine who I haven't been able to be at any tournaments with for the last two years. So to see him out here improving every single week," Ben Shelton said.

"Obviously, this is his first Masters 1000 back, he'll play his first slam back soon in two weeks. So, I'm just happy to see his face out here. Not happy to return his serve, but he's definitely a great guy and a great competitor," he added.

Shelton will face the winner of the match between Matteo Arnaldi and Tomas Etcheverry in the second round.