Shelton shines bright: Advances to first Grand Slam Semifinal with flawles triumph over Tiafoe
ATPWednesday, 06 September 2023 at 06:31
Ben Shelton
dominated the match against Frances Tiafoe and secured a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-4
victory, advancing to the US Open semifinals where he will face Novak Djokovic.
For the
second time this year, Shelton reached the quarterfinals of the US Open,
matching his performance at the Australian Open earlier in the year. In the
fourth round, he defeated Tommy Paul, his opponent in Melbourne, and put behind
him the inconsistent months he had after the first Grand Slam of the year.
And what
better place than Flushing Meadows for the young star to shine again, this time
against his compatriot Frances Tiafoe. World No. 10 only dropped one set in his
first four matches, in the third round against the 22nd seed Adrian Mannarino.
Tiafoe came in with the pressure of defending the semifinal he reached last
year, where he fell to Carlos Alcaraz.
From the
beginning of the match, it was Shelton who took the initiative and took more
risks. The first break came in the fifth game of the first set when Shelton
capitalized on his fourth break point and took a 4-2 lead. In total, World No.
47 won five consecutive games to take the set 6-2.
The second
set was closely contested from the serve, although Tiafoe took advantage of
Shelton's unforced errors to secure a break and a 4-2 lead, which he extended
with his service to level the match at 6-3.
Greater
inconsistencies followed, as in the third set, both players lost their serves
three times, extending the match to a tie-break. Both had opportunities, but it
was Shelton who produced two winning shots from the return to save a set point
and then take the set.
Shelton's
superiority became even more evident in the fourth set, where he grabbed the
first break and held onto it. With a 4-2 lead, he secured another break and
held his service to finish with a convincing 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 scoreline.
The victory
ensured Shelton's rise to World No. 19, tying with Grigor Dimitrov, and he will
seek his first Grand Slam final. In an unprecedented clash, he will face the
23-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who easily defeated Taylor Fritz.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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