"I got outplayed today. The guy played better than me" - Ben Shelton hands out credit to his opponent following latest Masters 1000 disappointment

Aside from a US Open final, Canadian Open title and Australian Open quarter-final, Ben Shelton’s form in the big competitions has been dreadful. He admitted that he was ‘outplayed’ by his opponent Arthur Gea in the third round of the Shanghai Masters, losing 7-6(5), 7-6(3).

It is his first ATP tournament since that remarkable run to the final of the fourth and final Grand Slam event and first time on court since losing both single rubbers in the Davis Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic.

He got back up to speed with a straight sets win over Daniel Altmaier and would be the overwhelming favourite to take down Gea. However, the World No.56 is playing some fine tennis as of late and would prove to be a tricky customer.

Twice the Frenchman broke in the first set to seize the initiative, once even having the chance to serve it out. On both occasions Shelton managed to regain parity as the first tiebreak was confirmed. It was very tight throughout, with the American No.1 leading 5-4 at one stage. However, Gea fought back, and a first set point was converted to sail out ahead.

This time it was Shelton's turn to go a break to the good, but the same pattern once again occurred with the player breaking the serve not being able to back it up with a hold. This tiebreak was slightly more one-sided, again going in the direction of Gea.

It was the biggest win of his career. The 21-year-old only debuted in the top 100 this year but has already won his first ATP title at the Los Cabos Open, reached the fourth round of the US Open and defeated one of the best players in the world in the form of Shelton.

Shelton was quick to credit the young Frenchman. "I thought he handled my serve outstanding," he said in his press conference after the match. "I thought he did a great job on return today start to finish. He put it a lot in play. He was putting them deep to the baseline. It was tough to attack. There was hardly any, as the match went on, points where I was getting easy free points or first balls to attack and come to the net on, so a lot of credit to him."

He came into the match prepared, but could not not cope on court. "I have watched some of him playing. He's a very talented player. I thought he played an outstanding, complete match today. He's got a huge forehand and big game and, yeah, I think that he'll do very well on the tour."

After skipping the Laver Cup and Japan Open, Shelton is finally back in action following a busy North American hardcourt swing, which was also very productive. He would have rather competed in Tokyo, but his body was not ready, and he duly obliged.

"I mean, I got outplayed today," he admitted. "The guy played better than me. A hundred percent, I would have liked to have come over here earlier and be prepared and have already dealt with the jet lag by the time I was playing here in the Shanghai Masters. My body wasn't ready. I wasn't physically ready to play in Tokyo. That's just the way this tour is sometimes."

There is still much of the 2026 campaign still to be played. Shelton will be the top seed at the Swiss Indorrs ahead of the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals. Shelton made his debut in the event last year, and is already confirmed to return. He is very much hoping for a decent result to end 2026 with a bang.

"I want to finish on a high note in Turin. Obviously I want to be prepared, playing some of my best tennis when I get there. Three tournaments left to finish the year, which has been a very up and down year, but a great year, on a high note."

Aside from those three tournaments mentioned at the start, Shelton has struggled at Grand Slam and Masters 1000 level, picking up just three wins in the other eight events he featured in.

Away from that, he has won four ATP titles in 2026, including the Canadian Open. They all came in different settings. Titles were sealed on clay, grass and both indoor and outdoor hardcourt. That versatility is a key attribute in Shelton's game, but he has been unable to convert it at the highest level. Shanghai is another example of that.

On top of that, it feels like a wasted chance. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both having their injury troubles in 2026, Shelton could, and probably should, have at least been in the business end harassing Alexander Zverev a bit more. When it clicks, he is one of the best players in the world. That consistency needs to be worked on heading into the rest of 2026 and beyond, and he knows it.