Ben Shelton secured his first-ever spot in the top 10 after an impressive performance against Czech player Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals of the Stuttgart Open. The American already seems to be sending a message to the Tour with a truly impressive level on grass-court: he lost barely 4 points on his serve, three of them being double faults.
Undoubtedly, grass benefits big servers, although there's much more to do than just dominate with the serve. Shelton had impressive statistics, winning 100% of the points on his first serve, a total of 18 aces, and 25 winners, leaving very little room for exchanges during the match.
The triumph will have double importance for the American, as it places him at World No. 10 in the live rankings, and none of the players still in competition now have a chance to surpass him (the only one who could have was Daniil Medvedev, who exited the Libema Open in the quarterfinals).
Shelton entered the top 20 for the first time in 2023, and since then has been hovering around the high positions – reaching a career-best ranking of No. 12 last week. Details were missing to enter the top 10, and Shelton fulfilled his responsibility in Stuttgart.
In the last year, Shelton has not won any titles, although he reached two ATP 500 finals (Basel Open and Munich), and the Australian Open semifinals among his main results. He now holds a 19-11 record for the season and is preparing for the second final of his season – just two months later, having lost in the Munich Open final to Alexander Zverev.
The 22-year-old American's next opponent will be precisely the first seed Alexander Zverev, against whom he has a negative head-to-head record of 0-2. Shelton is seeking his first grass-court final and aims to start his journey towards Wimbledon in the best possible way.
Match Statistics Shelton vs. Lehecka
| Shelton | VS | Lehecka |
|---|---|---|
| Service | ||
| 18 | Aces | 7 |
| 3 | Double Faults | 6 |
| 64% (28/44) | 1st Service Percentage | 63% (30/48) |
| 100% (28/28) | 1st Service Points Won | 97% (29/30) |
| 75% (12/16) | 2nd Service Points Won | 33% (6/18) |
| - (0/0) | Break Points Saved | 50% (2/4) |
| 100% (10/10) | Service Games | 80% (8/10) |
| Return | ||
| 3% (1/30) | 1st Return Points Won | 0% (0/28) |
| 67% (12/18) | 2nd Return Points Won | 25% (4/16) |
| - | Break Points Saved | - |
| Other | ||
| 1h 02m | Match Duration | 1h 02m |
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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