Ben Shelton’s return to action at the Shanghai Masters ended abruptly in his opening clash after losing to David Goffin.
In Shelton’s first match back since suffering a shoulder injury at the US Open, he fell to Goffin in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
The American, who was the sixth seed in Shanghai, has now lost his second consecutive meeting with the Belgian, having been defeated by him in Acapulco earlier this year.
After his triumph, Goffin revealed what the ‘key’ was to overcoming the former Grand Slam semifinalist.
David Goffin reacts to beating Ben Shelton in Shanghai
“From the start, I started to feel really well with my ground strokes,” said Goffin in his post-match interview.
“I took the ball early, I was returning really well and serving really well, like the first round.
“I just managed to save a couple of break points, but I think overall I served really well, and I played really well after my serve, so I think that was the key to put pressure on Ben.
“But at the end it was tough to finish it, but I made it with a good service game, so I’m really happy.”
David Goffin makes Shanghai History after beating Ben Shelton
With his victory over Shelton, Goffin is now the fourth-oldest player to defeat a top-ten player in men’s singles at the Shanghai Masters.
At 34 years and 298 days, he trails only Ivo Karlovic, Roger Federer, and the outright leader, Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic became the oldest ever in last season’s edition of the competition after defeating seventh seed Taylor Fritz in the semifinals, aged 37 years and 133 days.
The Serb ultimately bowed out in the final to defending champion Jannik Sinner, who is eyeing up his second title of the Asian swing in Shanghai.
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