Ben Shelton facing race against time, set to face Jannik Sinner at Vienna Open on Wednesday 72 hours after Japan Open win in Tokyo

Sunday, 22 October 2023 at 20:30

After his victory at the Japan Open, Ben Shelton will have limited time for recovery as he makes his debut at the Vienna Open against Jannik Sinner.

Ben Shelton's outstanding season bore fruit at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, where he defeated Aslan Karatsev 7-5, 6-1 to claim his first ATP title. The American mounted a comeback from a set and a 2-5 deficit in the semifinal against Marcos Giron, capitalizing on that momentum in the Tokyo final. He consistently outperformed Karatsev, triumphing after 84 minutes.

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With his first ATP 500 title, Shelton climbed to World No. 14, marking the highest ranking of his career. However, he still faces challenges in the season's homestretch.

One more reason to celebrate: it's the fourth time in history that a father and son have won ATP-level titles. Bryan, who also coaches him, secured titles in Newport in 1991 and 1992. Previously, this feat had been accomplished by the Dent (Phil and Taylor), Krishnan (Ramanathan and Ramesh), and Korda (Petr and Sebastian) families.

The 21-year-old is now very close to achieving something unimaginable just 10 months ago. He started the year as World No. 96, and as of next Monday, he will be World No. 14, marking his best historical ranking.

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Now Shelton has less than 72 hours before his appearance at the Vienna Open, where he was drawn against the World No. 4 and second seed, Jannik Sinner.

The long journey from Japan to Vienna will leave him with minimal rest and little time to adjust to the Austrian tournament's conditions. Shelton played three out of his five matches in Tokyo that extended to three sets.

Their first encounter took place in the Shanghai Open's round of 16 less than two weeks ago when Shelton defeated the Italian in a third-set tie-breaker, securing a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 victory.

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All business this week. 1st title in the books! Arigato Tokyo‼️💪🏽🏆🇯🇵

11:38 AM · Oct 22, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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