It’s an all-American battle in this quarterfinal showdown between Tommy Paul and newbie Ben Shelton at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
It’s difficult to imagine that anyone had both Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton competing for a semifinal spot from this quarter of the draw. Paul isn’t precisely a surprise quarterfinalist. The 25 year-old American is ranked 35th in the world and he is solid on surfaces that aren’t clay. Last year at Wimbledon he posted a round of 16 showing that is his previous best Grand Slam result.
Paul earned a number of impressive wins in Melbourne to earn his spot in the quarters. He had an easy win over Jan-Lennard Struff in his opener but was pushed to five sets by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in round two. It was from that point on that Paul really impressed. He had a surprisingly easy defeat of countryman Jenson Brooksby in the third round and a four-set victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in the last 16.
Shelton might be the shocker of the tournament so far. The 20 year-old was still trying to decide whether he wanted to turn pro as recently as July of 2022. He spoke to The Grandstand in Atlanta here, when he confirmed his 2022 U.S. Open wild card. Seven months later, Shelton is into the quarterfinals of his first-ever Australian Open.
Shelton plumped up his ranking on the Challenger circuit through the end of 2022, and his current spot No. 89 in the world was high enough to gain direct entry into the Aussie Open main draw. The young American has a huge upside: a big serve and solid off the ground with enough athleticism and fitness to get through two five-set matches in week one.
There have been no previous matches between Paul and Shelton. The elder American almost certainly has the edge. Paul is more experienced and Shelton has to be feeling the fatigue in his legs. Expect Shelton to put up a fight but for Paul to advance.
Cheryl pick: Paul in 4
Ricky pick: Paul in 4
who ya got?
The Australian Open quarterfinal match between Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton is shaping up to be an epic showdown between two American players with very different levels of experience. On one hand, we have Tommy Paul, a seasoned veteran who’s ranked 35th in the world and has been consistently making waves in the circuit, with his best Grand Slam result being a round of 16 at Wimbledon. He’s been on fire in Melbourne, with a string of impressive wins that have earned him a spot in the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, we have Ben Shelton, a 20-year-old prodigy who’s just starting to make a name for himself in the professional circuit. He’s a true dark horse in this tournament, and nobody expected him to make it this far in his first-ever Grand Slam tournament. But he’s been proving everyone wrong with his powerful serve and relentless groundstrokes, as well as his impressive athleticism and fitness, which have allowed him to win two grueling five-set matches in the first week of the tournament.
This is the first time that Paul and Shelton will be facing each other in a match, and it’s going to be a battle of experience vs potential. Paul’s experience gives him an edge, but Shelton’s raw talent and fearless attitude make him a formidable opponent. It’s going to be a close match, with both players bringing their A-game to the court. But in my opinion, Shelton’s youth and hunger for success will give him the edge and he will come out on top. It’s going to be an electric match, and I can’t wait to see these two American players duke it out for a spot in the semifinals.
Shelton…No Fear…in 4.