#4 Jannik Sinner, champion in Beijing, beats #14 Ben Shelton, champion Tokyo, 7-6(2), 7-5 to reach the 2nd round in Vienna. Avenges the Shanghai R16 defeat. High profile 1st round that didn't disappoint.
Jannik Sinner "turns the tables" on Ben Shelton in closely contested clash at Vienna Open
ATPWednesday, 25 October 2023 at 20:03
Jannik Sinner got his revenge against Ben Shelton in their closely contested first-round clash at the Vienna Open, winning the match 7-6 (2), 7-5.
The players met for the second time this month after they faced each other in the Round of 16 at the Shanghai Masters. The American emerged victorious there after a tight three-set battle, winning 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Shelton then went on to win his first ATP title at the Japan Open last week.
It was clear that the match would be close-knit from the start. Although Shelton's first service game went to a deuce, he was able to hold and the set continued on serve. At 5-5, Sinner found himself in trouble when Shelton got break point, but he was able to ace the 21-year-old for a deuce and ultimately held.
Sinner pushes through for straight-sets win
Eventually, a tiebreak was required to decide the opener, and Sinner was able to get the first proper lead of the match with a 5-0 lead. Shelton then fought back to take it to 5-2, but the Italian then built up four set points, one of which he successfully converted.
Shelton found himself in some trouble early on in the second set but still held to keep the set on serve. Sinner had two more opportunities to break his opponent as the set progressed, with Shelton's service games going to a deuce at 3-3 and 4-4, but he was unable to see them through.
However, at 5-5, Sinner managed to successfully secure a break and soon found himself serving for the set.
At this point, the 22-year-old amassed three match points and converted the second to progress to the next round, where he will face his compatriot, lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego.
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- FYI: The term 'snub' is a much overused verb by writers of sensationalist rags. [SNUB: rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully]. That is not the definition of what is going on with frequent withdrawals from tournaments.
mandoist16-09-2024 - No offence, Mr. Lloyd, but where have you been the past two years?? How long have you been a tennis fan? This 'article' may be informative for newbies or fair-weather tennis observers but the majority of fans know the root of the multiple issues within WTA. The #1 issue being the subject of health & well-being which has been (or has attempted to be) addressed with the WTA Elitist council members last season. WTA was extremely dismissive of players' concerns and opposed to such a meeting. Eventually giving-in due to publicity and allowed selective players only -- no rep's, no medical personnel, and no team members. The meeting was a farce as WTA soon after that released an even more hectic schedule... with mandatory tourneys! Guess they weren't taking notes?? BTW: There is a lot missing from this piece concerning "withdrawals". No writer has yet taken the jump to get behind the scenes and dig at the problems -- obvious organizational problems. IMO, the top two issues are WTA's lack of proper attention to health & well-being of its Money-Makers; and Financial Greed. Tip to Mr. Lloyd: there is no "snubbing" when these players withdraw. These women have to take such measures as withdrawing from a tourney, and occasional time-off from the circuit, to protect themselves -- because WTA refuses to take any measures at all (although not allowing matches until sunrise is a start). Surely you can do better than point fingers at players. The finger-pointing should be directed entirely at WTA (and ATP). Be a true journalist, Mr. Lloyd, and research them!!mandoist16-09-2024
- Uh-oh.... Now Raducanu is being forced to compete! Let's see who withdraws next... I wonder??mandoist15-09-2024
- And this is such a shock to WTA?? How many times are they (WTA & ATP) going to keep stepping in their own s*** ???mandoist15-09-2024
- They can go down together!mandoist15-09-2024
