Ben Shelton
emerged victorious in the battle against Robert Carballes Baena with a
scoreline of 6-4, 6-3, successfully securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the
2024
ASB Classic. The 30-year-old Spaniard posed a tough challenge to Shelton
from the baseline, but ultimately, the young star claimed the victory, setting
up a semifinal clash with
Taro Daniel.
Shelton
entered the tournament as the top seed and received a bye in the first round.
The North American faced the always-dangerous Fabian Marozsan (No. 65) in the
second round but had little trouble securing a 6-3, 6-4 win to advance to the
quarterfinals and meet Carballes Baena (No. 67).
The Spanish
tennis player overcame his compatriot and former world No. 9, Roberto Bautista
Agut (No. 51), in his first match with a score of 6-4, 6-3. In the second
round, his victim was the 7th seed Sebastian Ofner (No. 37), whom he defeated
7-5, 6-3.
The first
set initially tilted in favor of Ben Shelton, who saved a break point in his
first service game and then seized his first opportunity to break, taking a 2-0
lead. The Spaniard swiftly responded, breaking back to level the score at 2-2.
The players
kept the duel even, and Shelton had to fend off several break points. With the
score at 5-4 and Carballes Baena serving, the crucial break came for the
American, securing the first set 6-4.
Carballes
Baena prevented Shelton from winning too many quick points, forcing him to
engage in baseline rallies. Nevertheless, the world No. 16 was more aggressive
in the first set, tallying 16 winners with 7 unforced errors compared to
Carballes' 6 winners and 3 unforced errors.
In the
second set, both players started strong with their serves, but opportunities
for breaks arose for both sides in the middle of the set. Once again, Shelton
overcame the difficulties, capitalizing on a crucial moment in the eighth game
to secure the only break of the set, ultimately winning the match 6-4, 6-3.
In the
semifinals, he will face the 30-year-old Taro Daniel (No. 74), who guaranteed
his career-best ranking after defeating Alexandre Muller from the qualifying
rounds, securing a place within the top 65 for the first time in his career.