Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, September 22, 2024
Ben Shelton stepped up in a profitable Laver Cup debut.
An assertive Shelton rallied from 1-4 down within the tiebreaker defeating Arthur Fils 7-6(4), 6-1 in in the present day’s Laver Cup opener at Roger’s Enviornment in Vancouver.
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Afterward, Shelton shared easy recommendation Workforce World captain John McEnroe imparted that helped him command the second set: step up nearer on second serve returns.
As a result of the charcoal-colored court docket is enjoying a bit slower than the US Open and the balls are fluffing up larger, McEnroe suggested Shelton to step nearer to the baseline to chop off the angle on his return.Â
“We had been extra centered on what serves I used to be masking, what place I am placing myself in to remove sure serves and what I am doing with returns on large factors,” Shelton informed the media in Vancouver. “Early within the match, or earlier within the match I believe I had a 15-30, and I sat actually deep within the court docket, shanked a forehand return. Missed it.
“In these large moments once I had second serves later within the match, due to what he informed me, I stepped in just a little bit and had some big profitable pictures and attacking pictures off the return due to that recommendation.”
Shelton joins compatriots Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul as considered one of 4 Individuals on the principle roster with Wimbledon quarterfinalist Christopher Eubanks serving as alternate.
“I actually wished to have the ability to set the tone with my vitality for Workforce World.”@BenShelton staying true to his phrase.#LaverCup pic.twitter.com/mnE0zO7vPN
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 22, 2023
A former all-American at Florida, Shelton enjoys the group vitality, warmed up for his match with Paul and cited three American mentors with serving to him navigated his Laver Cup expertise.
“The three guys who’re in all probability on me after which most throughout the match had been Chris Eubanks, Frances, and Taylor Fritz, guys who’ve sort of, you already know, taken me below their wing since I’ve been out on tour, giving me recommendation when I’ve performed gamers that they’ve performed earlier than,” Shelton mentioned. “So to have the ability to have them in my nook throughout the match, you already know, prime American guys, guys who’ve had nice outcomes this summer time, overwhelmed quite a lot of prime gamers, to have the ability to sort of see how their minds work throughout the match, one thing that I have not been in a position to see earlier than, was actually cool and particular for me.
“Now it is time to exit and cheer for my group.”
Picture credit score: Laver Cup
