Ben Shelton has reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne for the second time in his young career.
The 22-year-old American is impressing at the Australian Open, having dropped just three sets on his way to the last eight.
Shelton qualified for the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park back in 2023, where he lost to fellow American Tommy Paul in four sets.
Paul lost to Alexander Zverev in this year’s quarter-finals, leaving Shelton as the sole American representative in the men’s singles event.
The American enjoyed a bit of good fortune on his way to the last eight, as Gael Monfils retired injured against Shelton in their round of 16 matchup.
It was a vital win for the world number 20, as an ATP Tour legend has now said what he has noticed about Shelton recently.
Andy Roddick says Ben Shelton is better at Grand Slams than the main ATP Tour which is a ‘great sign’
Speaking on his Quick Served podcast, former world number one Andy Roddick gave his thoughts on Shelton’s Grand Slam prowess.
“Credit to Ben Shelton, he’s better in Slams than he is on the regular tour, which is a great sign,” he said.
“He knows how to navigate three out of five set matches.
“Especially early in his career, he’s had more runs, semis, quarters in Australia, he’s in the quarters again, than he has in Masters series events when it’s the two out of three format, so I think that’s a good sign for him.”
Shelton has now reached three Major quarter-finals during his career but has been to the last eight at Masters 1000 events just twice.
Roddick went on to describe a change he’s noticed in Shelton’s game recently and praised Shelton’s coach, Bryan Shelton for the improvements he’s made since joining the tour in 2022.
“[He’s] serve and volleying a lot more, you can tell he’s actively working on things,” he said.
“Is he imperfect, yes, does he still have stuff to work on, yes, is he a work in progress, we all are, always, but it’s so clear how intentional he and his dad Bryan Shelton are being with progressing, with rounding out his game.
“He came on tour, and he was like this raw athletic thing, that you could tell didn’t have a lot of reps at the highest level, it’s like on the job training.
“Props to them for really committing, and getting better over time.”
Having failed to reach a Slam quarter-final in 2024, Shelton has done so at the first time of asking in 2025 and will take on Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego for a place in the last four.
Andy Roddick says Ben Shelton is the favorite to reach the Australian Open semi finals
Next up for Shelton is world number 55, Sonego, who has produced several impressive performances at this year’s tournament.
Sonego beat young prospects Joao Fonseca, and Learner Tien, to qualify for the quarter-finals, his best-ever performance at a Grand Slam.
Ahead of their third career meeting, Roddick previewed Sonego and Shelton’s quarter-final clash.
“[Ben] Shelton is the favorite in this matchup right, and he’s the guy that we’re looking to cause chaos potentially for [Jannik Sinner], in that half,” he said.
“But [Lorenzo] Sonego is going, hold on, wait a minute, I’ve got someone who maybe I can hold serve against more often than I do, and I would’ve taken Ben Shelton in the quarters going in to this event.
“Ben Shelton is the clear favorite in that matchup, but props to Sonego, I just really like the way he is an absolute professional, goes about his business.”
Shelton and Sonego have played twice before on the ATP Tour, with the head-to-head level at one a piece.
- Ben Shelton beat Lorenzo Sonego – 2022 Cincinnati Masters R16 – 7-6, 3-6, 7-5
- Lorenzo Sonego beat Ben Shelton – 2023 French Open R64 – 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
The Italian won their most recent meeting, and their only at the Grand Slam level, in Paris two years ago, as he advanced to the third round with a four-set win over Shelton.
Shelton and Sonego will face off for a place in the 2025 Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday, January 22.
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