Incredible Shelton Shines as Team World Dominates Rogers Cup Opener

Back Home News Near-Perfect Shelton, Team World Off to Flying Start at Rogers Arena

By Richard Osborn | Published on September 22, 2023

In a display of tennis talent that showcased the future of the sport, 19-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils and 20-year-old American Ben Shelton kicked off the Day 1 action at the 2023 Laver Cup at Rogers Arena. The match took place on a converted ice rink, the home of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, adding a unique touch to the event.

The physical match lasted one hour and 18 minutes and saw the young stars exchange powerful groundstrokes. With tournament co-founder and tennis legend Roger Federer watching from the sidelines, it was Shelton, ranked 19th in the world, who emerged victorious with a 7-6(4), 6-1 win over Fils. This marked the first time in the six-year history of the Laver Cup that Team World had claimed the opening point.

Shelton, the son of former ATP pro Bryan Shelton, credited the energetic crowd for motivating his performance. As the defending champions, Team World needed a strong start, and Shelton was determined to set the tone for his team. Team World Vice-Captain Patrick McEnroe praised Shelton‘s ability to thrive in a team environment, saying that his energy was infectious and inspired the whole team.

A Battle of Strong Serves

The match began with both players refusing to drop a single point on serve in the first four games. Shelton faced the pressure of matching Fils’ serving prowess, and although he dropped only seven points from the service stripe in the set, he found himself in a 1-4 hole in the tiebreak. However, he rallied back and won six consecutive points to take the tiebreak.

Fils acknowledged Shelton‘s impressive serving, especially in critical moments. Even when it seemed like Shelton might struggle, he consistently responded with powerful aces, leaving Fils in awe of his opponent’s big serve.

The Rise of Shelton

Shelton entered the Laver Cup with confidence, having recently become the youngest American man to reach the US Open semifinals since Michael Chang in 1992. As the 2022 NCAA singles champion from the University of Florida, Shelton brought his winning mentality to the match against Fils.

Shelton broke Fils in the second set to take a 3-1 lead, a turning point that propelled him towards victory. Throughout the match, Shelton showcased his serving prowess, finishing with seven aces and no double faults. He never faced a break point, demonstrating his strong command on the court.

Guidance from a Legend

Shelton attributed his success to the guidance of Team World Captain John McEnroe, himself a left-handed tennis legend. Shelton expressed his gratitude for the advice he had received from McEnroe in the days leading up to the match.

In Shelton‘s own words, “It’s just amazing, the few pieces of advice that I picked up from him the last few days. It’s been great to be around him.”

Shelton admitted that he didn’t feel particularly confident during practice sessions leading up to the tournament, but everything changed during a hitting session with his teammate Tommy Paul on Friday morning. He described his feeling during that session as “perfect,” which seemed to foreshadow the near-perfect performance he displayed later that day.

As Team World gets off to a flying start in the 2023 Laver Cup, Shelton‘s victory sets a positive tone for the defending champions. With his powerful serve and strong mental game, Shelton has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.

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Keywords: Tennis, Sports, Rogers Arena, Laver Cup, Team World, Shelton, Dominance