Ben Shelton booked a spot in his Nitto ATP Finals by beating Andrey Rublev 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the third round of the Rolex Paris Masters on Thursday afternoon.
Shelton came up with a stunning 7-6 lead winner on the first set timebreak and rolled the second on a break. The seventh-ranked American did not set a single break point while being available in one hour and 35 minutes. Hit 15 aces without healing twice.
“I knew going in today that this was a win for me,” Shelton said. “I was trying not to think about it; I’m trying to keep my mind here in Paris this week that I will be accomplished. I’m happy that I’ve achieved my best performance in months. I’m really happy that I’m here in the Quarterfinasals.”
So the stellar season continues for Shelton, who captured his first 1000 title in Toronto and ran to the Australian open. The 2025 campaign will be much better for this 23-year-old meeting if not for a shoulder injury that has supported the US open.
“It’s big; it’s always been a big goal,” Shelton said of the Turin title. “But the most important thing was to get back to this level to play today. That’s where I wanted to be. That’s where I wanted to be this summer around us.
“This is the best tennis I’ve played since my injury. I wouldn’t say it was flawless, but with everything [Rublev] Throw it to me today, how well I thought he played well, you have to give him a lot of credit. I played one of my best matches of the year and it was two solid sets that could have gone either way. I think we have drawn a better and better balance from each other. “
Sherton expects either Jannik Sonner or Francisco Cerindowsto at home. MY FINCH TURIN CONSENDER Felix auger-Aliassimeme and Shanghai Champion Valentin Vapentot advanced early on Thursday.
