Air Ben SHELTON prepares for take off, into first career clay court final at U.S Men's Clay Court Championship

Ben Shelton has completed another milestone on Saturday evening at the U.S Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston by reaching his maiden clay court final on home turf after a sensational comeback win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4.

Etcheverry has form on this surface going all the way to the final before defeat to Frances Tiafoe stopped him. It is a tournament though that holds resonance for Shelton with his father and coach Bryan Shelton previously winning it.

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The opening set went to a tie-break which Etcheverry who faced two in his final loss to Tiafoe last year came out on top this time 7-4. Shelton started to finally find his rhythm in the second. He dominated on his serve which is his finest weapon to swamp his opponent. He found a break point early and converted it with the narrow margins of a 6-4 set win.

He broke early in the final set and was far too dominant again on his serve. Albeit Etcheverry did ask the questions. He took a 2-1 lead and immediately broke back. Shelton stayed resolved though and broke for 3-2 and then held for 4-2. Shelton did not let it slip from there finishing the comeback from there.

In this match, it was one that saw utter heroics from Shelton who last year chose Estoril on his European adventure instead of Houston. But this year, that move is paying dividends. He could face the defending champion tomorrow in Frances Tiafoe.

Tiafoe will take on Luciano Darderi shortly to face Shelton. An all-American final will be the favourite certainly to be on the cards. In a year last year that saw a maiden major semi-final, first ATP title and top 15, Shelton is now making strides on clay and ahead of Monte-Carlo next week has his sights set on a title before heading to Europe.

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Mario Boccardi

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Ben Shelton is into his first career clay ATP final 💫 6-7 6-4 6-4 vs. Tomas Etcheverry to reach the ATP 250 Houston last act

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