Jannik Sinner has emerged to praise Ben Shelton, despite beating his Wimbledon quarter-final opponent in three sets.
Ahead of the clash, many hoped that the American would have enough to trouble the hampered Italian, who had just had an injury scare in the round prior.
After all, an elbow issue on his dominant arm seemed destined to diminish his level.
And yet, he seemed wholly unfazed, only offering one brief moment of apparent discomfort as he strolled to victory.
Despite how easy it may have looked, Jannik Sinner has assured fans that Ben Shelton poses a threat that, at times, nobody can stop.
Jannik Sinner rates Ben Shelton’s level in their Wimbledon match
Asked about Shelton and why the American consistently goes deep in Grand Slams but fails to trouble the elite players, Sinner was magnanimous in his response.
After all, he clearly has to summon all of his energy to overcome such a big-serving threat, remaining focused throughout even if the record will state a straight-sets Wimbledon triumph.
Replying to the reporter, the world number one began: “It’s not only a matter of what kind of stages you play, but also quarterfinals in Grand Slams are different, semifinals are different and finals are different too.
“You feel that before the match. The walk on and the warm up, you try to have good feelings, so at times it’s very difficult, also for us to play against these kinds of players.
“Ben is very young, a huge server. It’s not easy to play against them because you can have opportunities, and then he serves well, and you don’t exactly know what to do. When he serves 140mph on the line, it’s also impossible to return.
“It’s also mental. I always say that tennis is a mental game, it’s a mixture of experience, getting used to it, and also, of course, the main priority is to improve as a player.”
Sinner delivered a fitness update immediately after the match, having slipped in his previous clash with Grigor Dimitrov and had a scan on his elbow just yesterday.
Ben Shelton needs to improve in key area to challenge for Grand Slam titles
After this match, one crucial and damning statistic has emerged that showcases where Shelton is lacking in these big games.
Against Sinner, there is arguably no weakness to exploit.
So, to truly counter a player of his calibre, his opponent must remain as solid and hope they can eventually force a breakthrough.
Whilst Shelton’s serve seldom lets him down, it’s his returning that proved to be his undoing against the world number one, failing to convert either of just two break points he actually brought up.
His return was the difference today, and proved pivotal on a disappointing night for the American.
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