Match Report
Shelton overcomes Thiem, who waves goodbye to US Open
Austrian was competing in his remaining match at hard-court main
August 26, 2024
Getty Pictures
Ben Shelton reached the semi-finals on the US Open final yr.
By ATP Employees
Ben Shelton is up and working at this yr’s US Open. A semi-finalist in New York 12 months in the past, the American overcame former champion Dominic Thiem – who was competing in his remaining US Open match – 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 to achieve the second spherical.
Shelton lit up New York final yr when he grew to become the youngest American man to achieve the semis on the hard-court main since Michael Chang in 1992. The 21-year-old American appeared comfy on his return to Flushing Meadows on Monday when he dictated all through towards Thiem on Arthur Ashe Stadium to enhance to 2-1 within the pair’s ATP Head2Head collection.
Wild card Thiem was competing on the US Open for the ultimate time. The 30-year-old Austrian, who is ready to retire later this yr, held a 23-9 file on the fourth main of the season, highlighted by the run to his maiden Grand Slam trophy in 2020. 4 years in the past, Thiem rallied from two units right down to defeat Alexander Zverev and seize the largest title of his profession.
On Monday, the previous World No. 3 soaked in a standing ovation from the group following his defeat to Shelton, whereas he additionally acquired a photograph collage on courtroom.
“It has been 10 years since I first performed right here. It’s truly a extremely essential second for me, as a result of I had my biggest success right here on this courtroom,” Thiem stated on courtroom. “In that bizarre 2020, in unusual and completely different circumstances. I had this success sadly with none of you [the fans] right here. It was an incredible second however then again a bit unhappy, so I’m tremendous blissful I acquired the prospect to play my final US Open match on this courtroom.”
Shelton was additionally fast to reward Thiem following the match.
“I wish to say congrats to Domi and his staff on an excellent Grand Slam profession,” Shelton stated. “4 finals and a title is one thing solely children can dream about, sitting on the sofa at residence, which was me not too way back. It couldn’t occur to higher folks. I all the time see Domi’s face smiling and your staff does it the precise means. I’m sorry that is that means this ended however congrats on all the pieces. You’ve got a lot to be pleased with.”
Shelton has loved a constant hard-court swing this month. He reached the semi-finals in Washington after which superior to the quarter-finals on the ATP Masters 1000 occasion in Cincinnati. The No. 13 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings will play Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut within the second spherical in New York.
Towards Thiem, the thirteenth seed received 91 per cent (41/45) of his first-serve factors and hit 34 winners in comparison with simply 11 from Thiem to advance after one hour and 52 minutes.
“I like being out right here in New York,” Shelton added. “There may be not significantly better ambiance than being on Ashe. I’m glad I had the prospect to open it up with Domi.”
