The primary quarter of the 2023 ATP Tour season marked breakthrough runs, career-best wins and titles on the ATP Challenger Tour for a lot of #NextGenATP stars.
American Ben Shelton superior to the quarter-finals on the Australian Open, whereas Frenchman Arthur Fils reached tour-level semi-finals in Montpellier and Marseille, respectively. Swiss lefty Dominic Stricker and Frenchmen Luca Van Assche and Arthur Cazaux have tasted success, lifting trophies at ATP Challenger Tour occasions.
ATPTour.com seems to be at a number of the most notable #NextGenATP accomplishments of the yr to date.
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Shelton’s Beautiful StartAmerican Shelton has loved a standout begin to the season, rising from No. 96 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings to a present career-high No. 39 following a collection of spectacular outcomes.
The 20-year-old ended 2022 by successful three consecutive ATP Challenger Tour titles and carried his red-hot kind into 2023 when he arrived in Australia and New Zealand. Shelton defeated Sebastian Baez to earn his first tour-level win of the season in Auckland earlier than he made waves on the Australian Open. The gifted lefty superior to the quarter-finals on debut in Melbourne, defeating Zhang Zhizhen, Nicolas Jarry, Alexei Popyrin and J.J. Wolf.
“I positively exceeded my expectations this week, what I assumed I may do on the courtroom — not simply tennis-wise however bodily having the ability to get by means of as many three-out-of-five-set matches as I did,” Shelton mirrored after his quarter-final loss towards Tommy Paul. “I imply, I’ve solely performed one earlier than in my profession. I used to be fairly happy with myself in that side as nicely.”
Shelton then returned to dwelling soil and continued to impress, defeating Fabio Fognini within the first spherical in Indian Wells to earn the third ATP Masters 1000 match win of his profession.
Shelton Shining, Attempting To Make Mark On First Journey Out Of The US’Superb’ 17-Yr-Previous Shang Taking Australian Open By StormFive Issues To Know About #NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils
Frenchmen On The ChargeFils arrived on the ATP 250 occasion in Montpellier in February having by no means gained a tour-level match. Quick ahead two weeks and the 18-year-old had earned 5 victories on Tour. Fils showcased his highly effective sport to the French crowd with victories towards Richard Gasquet and Roberto Bautista Agut in Montpellier, earlier than he downed former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka en path to the semi-finals in Marseille.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” stated Fils after defeating the Swiss star. “I used to be watching him [Wawrinka] play throughout all my younger profession. I used to be hitting in Bercy with him as a sparring accomplice, and now I beat him. It’s a good distance, a good distance for my coach and my household, nevertheless it’s not over but and I wish to take pleasure in extra. My progress is] quick, however I could be sooner, so I’ll attempt to be.”
Van Assche and Cazaux additionally made their mark, rising to fifth and sixth respectively within the Pepperstone ATP Subsequent Gen Race. The 18-year-old Van Assche gained the second ATP Challenger Tour title of his profession in France, whereas the 20-year-old Cazaux triumphed at an ATP Challenger Tour occasion in Thailand.
Stricker & Michelsen In Early ContentionThe 20-year-old lefty Stricker reached the semi-finals on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals in 2022 and has made a robust begin to 2023 as he goals to compete on the 21-and-under occasion once more. The Swiss has had success on the ATP Challenger Tour this yr, successful a trophy in Italy earlier than advancing to the semi-finals at an occasion in Switzerland.
American Alex Michelsen started the yr outdoors the Prime 600 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, however reached a career-high No. 306 in March after successful one ITF World Tour occasion and reaching the semi-finals at an ATP Challenger Tour match in North America.
Others To WatchChinese star Shang Juncheng, who’s the son of two skilled athletes, made a roaring begin to the season when he got here by means of qualifying to succeed in the second spherical on the Australian Open.
The 18-year-old is coached by Dante Bottini, who first laid eyes on the World No. 181 when he was 15 years outdated.
“Very good. Superb participant,” Bottini instructed ATPTour.com when explaining his first reminiscences of Shang. “I imply clearly he was very younger, however I already may inform that he had nice potential.”
The 21-year-old Swiss Leandro Riedi rounds out the Prime 10 within the Pepperstone ATP Subsequent Gen Race. He reached the second spherical in Marseille in February, falling to Hubert Hurakcaz in three units.
