Rising star Ben Shelton impressively defeats a seasoned veteran to advance to the third round of the US Open. Discover the highlights and key moments of the match.
Introduction:
Ben Shelton, the rising 22-year-old American, delivered another statement performance at the 2025 US Open, defeating Spanish veteran Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 under the lights on Wednesday evening. In a battle between former US Open semifinalists, Shelton’s fearless shotmaking and athleticism underscored his status as one of the tournament’s most exciting young contenders, while Carreno Busta saw his run halted by the younger, harder-hitting challenger.
Bem Shelton’s Surge: A New American Star
Ben Shelton’s meteoric rise on the ATP Tour has turned heads around the tennis world. In just three years, he’s gone from college standout to household name, with a US Open semifinal and a Masters 1000 title already under his belt. Coming off his Toronto triumph and last year’s New York heroics, Shelton stepped onto the court against Carreno Busta brimming with confidence and powered past the Spanish former semifinalist in commanding straight sets.
First Set: Big Guns Blazing
Both men held serve strongly in the early games, but Shelton’s world-class lefty serve—clocked just under his usual 145 mph due to cool evening conditions—proved decisive. Blending crushing deliveries with aggressive returns, the American broke late in the set to take a 6-4 lead. Carreno Busta, always a gritty competitor, hustled in rallies but had trouble holding back Shelton’s torrent of winning forehands and fearless net play.
Second Set: American Onslaught
The second set defined the momentum shift even more starkly. Shelton, playing with freedom and confidence, broke Carreno Busta twice, racing out to a 4-1 lead before closing the set 6-2. While the Spaniard relied on his classic counter-punching, Shelton’s explosive movement and creative shotmaking—especially on the run—kept the New York crowd entertained and Carreno Busta searching for answers. The energy in Armstrong Stadium was fully behind the homegrown talent as he continued to dictate with high-octane tennis.
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Third Set: Finishing with Authority
Carreno Busta, a two-time US Open semifinalist and Olympic bronze medalist, refused to go quietly. He raised his level to make the third set a true contest, trading games with Shelton and even threatening a late comeback. But every time pressure mounted, Shelton responded with another surge—a 134 mph ace, a leaping backhand winner, or a fearless forehand return. He secured the crucial break at 4-4 and confidently served out the match, clinching victory 6-4 in the third and pumping his fist skyward as the crowd roared.
Tactical Breakdown: What Set Shelton Apart
Serve-centric dominance: Shelton’s lefty serve, even without top velocity, was precise and unpredictable, regularly bailing him out of tight spots.
Relentless aggression: From the start, he played on the front foot, stepping inside the baseline and dictating tempo.
Physicality and speed: His footwork and athleticism allowed him to turn defense into attack, tracking down Carreno Busta’s best shots and flipping rallies in his favor.
Mental growth: There were no wilderness moments—every setback was followed by renewed focus, showing maturity well beyond his years.
Carreno Busta: Effort and Legacy
While Carreno Busta couldn’t replicate his old magic against Shelton’s power, his resilience deserves respect. A model of professionalism, he’s made the second week or deeper in New York on five occasions, endearing himself to fans with baseline consistency and fighting spirit. At 34, deep Slam runs are harder to summon, but his presence and experience remain valuable on tour.
Benchmarks and Rivalries: What’s Next for Shelton
With this win, Shelton reaches the US Open third round for a second straight year and inches closer to overtaking Taylor Fritz as the top-ranked American man. He now faces the crafty Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, with possible blockbuster match-ups on the horizon—including a tantalizing potential quarterfinal rematch with Carlos Alcaraz, whom he pushed last year. Each round, Shelton’s confidence and “showman†energy grow, and his game is increasingly defined by his refusal to back down or play it safe.
Off the Court: A Moment of Levity
Following his win, a playful press conference moment saw soccer star Trinity Rodman—Shelton’s girlfriend—stunt as a journalist and jest about his inability to break the 135 mph serve mark in cold conditions. Shelton, never without a smile, quipped that he’d “just serve bigger next time,†drawing laughter from media and fans alike. The moment reflected the laid-back, fun-loving side Shelton brings to each tournament, endearing him further to a tennis public eager for new stars.
Significance: Youthful Force Meets Veteran Challenge
Shelton’s victory symbolizes more than just a passing-of-the-torch result; it highlights a new wave of American talent pounding at the gates of the tennis elite, refusing to be intimidated by veterans with storied resumes. The 2025 US Open could become Shelton’s definitive breakout, with every round building momentum and belief, not just in his own camp but across the American sports landscape.
Conclusion: Full Speed Ahead
Ben Shelton’s 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win over Pablo Carreno Busta was a complete performance that showcased his enormous serve, improved shot selection, and charismatic attitude. While there are bigger tests to come, he left no doubt that his US Open ambitions are just beginning. For Carreno Busta, it was a night to dig deep and show veteran quality, but ultimately Shelton’s youthful energy overwhelmed him.
As the second week approaches, all eyes remain on the American lefty, eager to see how far his fearless tennis can carry him in front of a home crowd.
