Explore the dominance of Ben Shelton as he outperformed Bautista Agut at the US Open 2024. Read about the match’s pivotal moments and Shelton’s impressive skills.
Introduction:
Fans flocked under the pavilion on the Grandstand to get shade on a sun-scorched Wednesday afternoon at the 2024 US Open as they wanted to see surging Ben Shelton face off against veteran Roberto Bautista Agut. As much as the scorching heat of the day, Shelton’s game had fired off on all cylinders-right into the round of 16, storming past the veteran Spaniard in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. That victory secured a spot in the third round for Shelton and set up an eagerly awaited fight against fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
First Set: Shelton’s Shotgun Serve Lights Up the Crowd
The air was electric as fans packed the stands seeking a glimpse of Shelton’s vaunted serve – one that, in quick time, has turned into one of the most feared weapons on the ATP Tour. The 21-year-old left-hander wasted little time getting down to business. With his father and coach, former ATP pro Bryan Shelton, yelling encouragement from the sidelines, Shelton let it all hang out against Bautista Agut.
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The Spaniard, a former world No. 9, did everything he could to try to weather the storm. He saved four break points early in the match and showed the resilience that has defined his 11 US Open appearances. But the relentless power of Shelton was finally too much to handle as, 40 minutes into the opening set, he struck the decisive blow-breaking Bautista Agut’s serve with a blistering forehand to take a 5-3 lead. He then served out confidently in the next game, leaving little doubt in his opponent’s mind.
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Second Set: Shelton’s Forehand Continues to Dominate
The second was a mirror image of the first, as Shelton kept controlling play with his forceful groundstrokes and serve. Bautista Agut was fighting hard, but the powerful energy and accuracy of the young American were too much. At 3-3, another big Shelton forehand winner hit its target, breaking serve for 4-3. The crowd couldn’t hide its excitement, and Shelton was feeding off them.
From there on, it was almost an untouchable Shelton while serving. In fact, for the remainder of the set, he lost just three points on serve; Bautista Agut was somewhat running out of options here. Now apparently world-ranked 67, the 36-year-old Spaniard could only watch as Shelton approached the successive second-set conclusion and reeled in ever closer to victory.
Third Set: Shelton Seals the Deal
The third set was a last-ditch effort by Bautista Agut to remain in the match, but Shelton’s relentless pressure barely gave him room for error. When the set reached its critical juncture at 4-4, 30-40 on Bautista Agut’s serve, all his father had to say was: “Just keep punching.” Moments later, Shelton delivered the knockout blow, threading a forehand winner down the line to secure his third break of the match.
With the crowd on its feet, Shelton stepped up to serve for the match. He didn’t disappoint, firing a 141 mph ace-his fastest serve of the day-to clinch the victory in just over two hours. It was a performance that left no doubt about Shelton’s readiness to take on the challenges ahead.
Post-Match Reflections: Confidence and Composure
Basking in the win, Shelton felt content with his game, particularly in the crucial stages. “I thought I moved really well,” Shelton said. “I served well, I hit my forehand well today. I didn’t get broken and was clutch at the end of sets. I’m happy with where my game’s at going into the next round.”
Then Shelton’s poise under fire was once more unveiled, as he continuously came through during a tight period of time to steal every one of these close sets. His ability to remain focused and carry out his strategy underlines his rapidly developing maturity on court and the fact that this remains one of the brightest young stars in the sport.
A Rivalry Renewed: Shelton vs. Tiafoe
Shelton’s win now tees up an intriguing third-round meeting with Frances Tiafoe—one that has quickly become one of the most thrilling rivalries in American tennis. The Gauzy friends-turned-foes initially met at last year’s US Open in a historic quarterfinal, where Shetl baby opponent in four sets to become the youngest American man to reach the semifinals since Michael Chang in 1992. It was not just any match that had happened but the two best Black men actually faced off in a US Open quarterfinal, a feat that had not previously been accomplished in the Open Era.
Since that encounter, the two players have faced each other once more, and on that occasion, Shelton came out on top to win their meeting in the final of this year’s Houston tournament. With a third meeting looming between the two players on one of tennis’s biggest stages, that will again be an opportunity for both players to prove something and go one step further in the tournament.
Shelton’s Quest for Grand Slam Glory
For Ben Shelton, this year’s US Open is another opportunity to prove that his deep run in last year’s tournament was not any kind of aberration. In last year’s US Open, after beating Tiafoe in the quarterfinals, Shelton’s dream run came to an end against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Coming this year with loads of experience and confidence, he is ready to make a bigger statement.
Next for Shelton is that all-important experience against Tiafoe that he will need to lean on, while also looking to draw on confidence from getting a first win over Bautista Agut. It is that powerful serve, explosive forehand, and relentless pursuit that will make Shelton dangerous come the latter stages of the US Open.
But with an already drama-and-excitement-filled tournament, the all-American clash of Shelton versus Tiafoe promises to be yet another unforgettable chapter. For Shelton, it’s another step in his journey to establish himself as one of the leading contenders in men’s tennis.