Ben Shelton has suffered a dramatic French Open exit at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz, losing their fourth round match.
Alcaraz was praised for his sportsmanship in his meeting with Shelton, which he won 7-6(10-8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 after over three hours.
The Spaniard, who is looking to defend his French Open title, now faces Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.
ATP Tour number two Alcaraz is the second seed at Roland Garros this year, with American ace Paul the 12th.
Shelton surprised Tim Henman with his display against the defending champion, with the player himself having shared his verdict with the press post-match.
Ben Shelton says how close he thinks he is to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Asked how close he thinks he is to Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner, Shelton replied: “I think executing in those small moments is the step that I need to win a match like that and taking the step to the next level.
“For me this is the closest that I have felt, just talking about Alcaraz right now but the closest that I have felt in a match against him and the most pressure that I thought that I have applied.
READ MORE: Coco Gauff and Tommy Paul help break 40-year American record at the French Open
“The most comfortable I have felt in the baseline exchanges. It is the best I have hit my open stance backhand when he has put pressure there.
“So, yeah, in that way with it also being a clay court is kind of ironic. Arguably his better surface and arguably my least experienced surface. There is a lot of positives to take from that because I feel like my game is improving a lot.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful and be like I am right there but I feel like I am close to being able to win some matches like that and give guys a run for their money more often and have these deeper runs more consistently.
“Not too bad guys to lose to, the two matches I have lost at Slams this year. I consider myself a really good Grand Slam match player and hopefully I can continue to improve and take that next step because that’s where I want to be.”
Ben Shelton pinpoints where he has improved on clay after French Open exit
Shelton has been somewhat unfortunate in the past two Grand Slams, having been knocked out of the Australian Open by Sinner.
The Italian defeated the American in the semi-final in Melbourne, before going on to beat Alexander Zverev in the final.
At the same time, however, Shelton will be fully aware that he needs to beat the best to be the best, particularly at Grand Slam level.
He is undoubtedly getting closer, but Sinner and Alcaraz have proven in recent times that they are a level above.
Australian Open champion Sinner won that event and the US Open in 2024, with the Spaniard emerging victorious at the French Open and Wimbledon.
But ATP number 13 Shelton really likes his game on clay now, having also shared where he has improved on the surface after his Roland Garros exit.
“My movement is one,” the American explained. “I think I am moving better. Return of serve, another huge one.
“Defending out of my backhand corner and being able to work from neutral to offence in the baseline exchanges is huge for me.
“I think these are all things that if I play a guy like Alcaraz a year or two years ago it would be pretty one-way street and apart from me serving really well I would have had a really tough time in the rallies.
“I thought I did a much better job today in the baseline rallies, in the slice exchanges, the cat and mouse games.
“I felt more and more comfortable and I think the better that I continue to improve my movement on the surface and clean up a few things with the serve and return of serve, I am close to where I want to be.”
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
