MATCH REPORT | 2024 Australian Open: Ben SHELTON prevails in clash against Roberto BAUTISTA AGUT to secure second-round berth

ATP
Monday, 15 January 2024 at 05:26
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Ben Shelton (No. 16) had difficulties but overcame Roberto Bautista Agut (No. 51) by 6-2, 7-6(2), 7-5 in the first round of the 2024 Australian Open. The American returned to Melbourne with the mission of defending last year's quarterfinals and, in three hours, secured his spot in the second round.
Shelton started the season a week earlier at the ATP 250 ASB Classic and fell in a tough semifinal match against the surprising Japanese player Taro Daniel (No. 74) by 7-5, 7-6(9). Similarly, the world No. 51 Roberto Bautista Agut also competed last week in Auckland but lost in the first round to his compatriot Roberto Carballes Baena (No. 67) by 6-4, 6-3.
In the first set, Bautista Agut quickly applied pressure on Shelton's serve and had five break opportunities in his favor, but Shelton saved them all. In the next service game of the 20-year-old, he again conceded three break chances to his opponent, but managed to resolve it and maintain the 2-2 tie.
The Spanish player looked better in the early games but declined as Shelton took the initiative. Bautista Agut tried to outmaneuver his opponent from the baseline, moving him from side to side to avoid being overwhelmed by Shelton's winners. The youngster responded better in the return and gained confidence in his serve to win the next four games consecutively and move ahead by 6-2.
In the second set, both held their serves well until the sixth game, where the Spanish player seized his first opportunity to lead 4-2. The advantage was temporary as Shelton quickly recovered the break, and they maintained equality until 5-5. In a tense game, Shelton secured the break and served to finish the set but ended up losing it to love.
In the tie-break, a passing shot from Shelton gave him the first mini-break to take a 3-0 lead. Without hesitation on the serve, he once again managed to break his opponent's serve and won the tiebreak with a comfortable 7-6(2).
The third set was the most closely contested of the match, and neither player faced issues on their serves until the end of the set. With the score at 6-5 in favor of Shelton, it was Bautista Agut's service turn, and everything seemed to indicate that the set would be decided in a new tiebreak. However, the former world No. 9 Spaniard struggled with unforced errors that ultimately gave the victory to Shelton 6-2, 7-6(2), 7-5.
Bautista Agut reached the fourth round in 2023 (losing to Tommy Paul), so he failed to defend his points and will drop out of the top 70 at the end of the tournament for the first time since 2014. Shelton will face local player Christopher O’Connell (No. 71) in the second round, who overcame a tough battle with Cristian Garin (No. 88) by 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.

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