Top seed Shelton ousted by Czech teenager in Auckland
AUCKLAND: US top seed Ben Shelton’s preparation for the Australian Open was dealt a blow Wednesday with an upset loss to Czech teen sensation Jakub Mensik at the Auckland Classic.
Playing his first match in nearly two months, world number 21 Shelton was beaten 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 7-5 in the second round by the powerful Mensik. A clash of two of the world’s premier young players ended after more than two and a half hours when Shelton’s serve was broken for the first time, in the 12th game of the third set.
The 22-year-old American, who received a bye through the first round, served strongly but couldn’t match the consistency of his 19-year-old opponent’s groundstrokes. Left-hander Shelton will have little match play under his belt heading to the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne, having not previously played since representing the US in the Davis Cup nearly two months ago.
Related
From Professional Tennis Player To OnlyFans Model: All About American…
photoDetailsenglish2865136Ashley Harkleroad wasn’t just known for her skills on the tennis court—she made headlines for breaking barriers off it. Once ranke
Coco Gauff and two fellow Americans make history, joining Serena…
Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old prodigy rewriting tennis history books, has propelled herself—and two compatriots—into an exclusive club of American legends. Wi
U.S. Tennis makes six figure donation to HBCU program
Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) is set to receive a significant boost to its athletics program as USTA Florida presents the HBCU with a $100,000 check on
Top coach reveals what held American tennis back for ‘decades’…
The United States have been searching for a top American star in men’s tennis for several years.22 years America have waited for a Grand Slam champion on the
