Though he is now out of the French Open, Ben Shelton he can be pleased with performances.
The 22-year-old reached the fourth round, which is now his best run at the clay court Grand Slam so far.
Shelton claimed an epic five-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego in round one, before beating Matteo Gigante after Hugo Gaston was unable to compete in the second round.
The American’s run came to an end courtesy of defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz. But there is plenty to take confidence from, as two-time Roland Garros winner Jim Courier alluded to.
Jim Courier says Ben Shelton has stopped doing something like Rafael Nadal which has helped his game
Ben Shelton burst on to the scene with his thunderous serve and heavy groundstrokes, especially on his forehand.
He looks to apply the tricky left-handed topspin which is tough for many players to deal with and something Rafael Nadal mastered during his career.
But Courier assessed Shelton’s current form and believed that he has now stopped trying to play as Nadal did on the forehand, which has benefited him.
“I think this whole tournament I think Ben Shelton is now starting to hit that little growth spurt in his career, because he is starting to understand a lot more about himself,” Courier told TNT sports.
“We know he has the weapons and it’s pretty obvious he has a great serve. He is starting to hit his forehand a little more like himself, and a lot less like Rafael Nadal.
“When he was playing here a few years ago, he was trying to hit that lasso forehand and get off of the ball and create the spin, and it’s just not as natural for him.
“He is coming across the ball, when you get more speed and less spin on the ball and that’s I think that is where the damage needs to be done for him.
“He’s really starting to hit that growth spurt that’s going to lead to his ranking increasing. You know how players plateau and then they lift? He’s in a lift phase right now.”
Ben Shelton’s winless run against Carlos Alcaraz continues
At the French Open Shelton took on Alcaraz for the first time at a Grand Slam and a third time overall.
The pair engaged in some entertaining rallies as they thrilled the crowd with their athleticism and elite shotmaking.
Shelton squandered three set points in set one as Alcaraz won the tiebreak, before opening up a two-set lead.
Shelton stormed back to take set three, which is the first set he has managed to take from the Spaniard in his career. But it was not enough as Alcaraz went on to claim a 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours and 19 minutes.
However, Shelton still has yet to beat Alcaraz, but fans can expect more exciting battles between them in the future.
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