Brilliant Ben Shelton opens latest New York jaunt with US Open Arthur Ashe statement

Ben Shelton is through to the second round of the US Open after taking down Ignacio Buse to open up his account and improve to 13-2 this hard court summer.

Shelton was first on Arthur Ashe Stadium today in a slate that includes Aryna Sabalenka, the current women's champion. As well as Jessica Pegula and Novak Djokovic. But amid his rising star, he is aiming to put out a statement of his own and he did just that emphatically winning through 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

'Big Ben' won the Canadian Open earlier this summer and was only beaten by Alexander Zverev in Cincinnati amid another late run to the Quarter-Finals. Against Buse he needed just two hours and seven minutes as the former semi-finalist laid down a marker in New York.

He was made to work for it in the opening set with Buse faltering right at the end. Shelton broke thanks to a double fault from the Peruvian to put him in a position to serve for the first set. The American then saved three break points on his own serve including a 132mph ace. This saw him head in front after 34 minutes.

Shelton broke to begin the second as Buse couldn't return a strong forehand and Shelton went 3-2 up in early signs of trouble. He managed to hold to go 4-2 up and the writing was on the wall as Shelton broke again for 5-2. He piled the pressure on his opponent as he completed a one away lead. Buse had saved four break points but Shelton was able to convert his fifth allowing the sixth seed to serve for a two set lead.

Shelton held to garner complete control of the narrative and the tie. He broke to begin the final set as Buse couldn't convert yet another break point and Shelton got himself to deuce. He forced an error out of him and held again. A double fault saw Buse face break point himself as Shelton returned the Peruvian's serve before he went long allowing the American to break.

This break remained the difference as Shelton was always two games ahead even when Buse managed to hold to extend it and every time he came up against a break point he matched it as he edged through 6-4 in the final set.

"It's starting to feel like home for me, this is the best court in tennis. It's my favourite place to play, my favourite court and favourite tournament," he said speaking to Sky Sports post match.

"On the opening day there are always nerves but I'm really I came out here and you guys get to see me do my thing and I'm really appreciative of everyone who came out.

"For us, we take it one step at a time and try to get better every day. As soon as you start looking ahead of yourself you stumble over your own feet so for me it's one day at a time, one match at a time and I am just grateful to be out here.

"For me, just the experience of playing this tournament is enough. I'm happy to come back here every year. This is the one, this is the pinnacle of tennis for me and what I dreamed about as a kid."

Next up for Shelton will be Pablo Carreno Busta or Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the second round. Say what you want but Shelton Summer is here to stay and with Fritz also two sets up he will likely join him in the next round very soon.