Shelton Shocker! Wild Card Makes Quick Work Of Ruud To Extend Dream Debut

Ben Shelton only just completed his sophomore year at the University of Florida, but the 19-year-old American appears ready to graduate onto the ATP Tour.

The Western & Southern Open wild card continued his dream ATP Masters 1000 debut on Wednesday with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 win against fifth seed Casper Ruud, one day after edging Lorenzo Sonego in three sets. Shelton needed just one hour, eight minutes to secure his first Top 10 win and advance to the third round, where he will face ninth seed and fellow lefty Cameron Norrie.

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After winning the final two games of his opening-round victory, Shelton won the first two games of both sets against Ruud. Those early breaks were more than enough as the American did not face a break point on serve.

Shelton dropped just eight points on serve, winning 85 per cent (22/26) of his first-serve points and 78 per cent (14/18) on his second delivery. He was also ruthlessly efficient on return, breaking in all three games in which he created a break point, including a three-deuce battle in his first return game.

Ranked World No. 547 in May when he won the NCAA singles title, Shelton now sits at No. 171 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings and could move as high as No. 136 with a victory against Norrie. The Briton was a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 winner against countryman Andy Murray earlier on Wednesday.

Ruud, who reached the Roland Garros final in June, has enjoyed great results at the hard-court Masters 1000s this season, reaching the final in Miami (l. to Alcaraz) and the semis last week in Montreal (l. to Hurkacz).

More to follow...