Ben Shelton Shocks Andrey Rublev to Reach Paris Masters Quarters

Ben Shelton has made headlines by defeating Andrey Rublev in the third round of the Paris Masters, securing his spot in the quarter-finals with a decisive straight-sets victory of 7-6, 6-3 on October 26, 2023. This win marks an important milestone for the American tennis player, who is competing in his second tournament since recovering from an injury sustained at the US Open.

Shelton, who previously triumphed over Flavio Cobolli in the round of 32, is now set to face either Francisco Cerundolo or Jannik Sinner in the next round. Sinner is currently vying for the chance to reclaim the world number one ranking from Carlos Alcaraz, adding an intriguing layer to Shelton’s upcoming match.

Historic Achievement for Shelton

With this victory, Ben Shelton has become the youngest American to reach the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters since Andy Roddick accomplished the feat in 2003, as reported by OptaAce. At just 23 years and 18 days old, Shelton has matched Roddick’s achievement, who was slightly over 21 years of age during his run.

The Paris Masters has evolved significantly since Roddick’s time; it was played on carpet courts until 2007 when the surface transitioned to hard courts. Roddick reached the semi-finals that year, overcoming notable players like Victor Hanescu and Tommy Robredo before falling to eventual champion Tim Henman.

Impressive Performance Against Rublev

Shelton’s victory against Rublev was characterized by an outstanding serving performance. He recorded 15 aces, winning an impressive 79 percent of points on his first serve, coupled with an astonishing 87 percent on his second serve. These statistics left Rublev with limited opportunities throughout the match. Notably, Shelton did not face a single break point and did not commit any double faults.

If Shelton maintains this level of serving, he poses a formidable challenge to any opponent remaining in the tournament. Having already secured a Masters title earlier this year at the Canadian Open, he is now aiming to add a second title in Paris, further solidifying his rising status in the tennis world.

As the only American in the last eight, Shelton’s journey continues to capture the attention of tennis fans worldwide, showcasing his potential to become a significant player on the ATP Tour.