Ben Shelton hits fastest serve of US Open to battle past Tommy Paul and reach quarter-finals
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Updated 03/09/2023 at 20:28 GMT
Ben Shelton moved into the quarter-final stages of the US Open in New York on Sunday afternoon when he defeated his compatriot, American Tommy Paul, 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4. The pair met in the Australian Open at the start of the year, when Paul emerged victorious, but this time Shelton progressed, becoming the youngest American in the last eight for two decades.
Ben Shelton of the United States celebrates his victory against Tommy Paul of the United States in the Men's Singles round four match on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the US Open Tennis Championship 2023 at the USTA National Tennis Centre on September 3rd, 2
Image credit: Getty Images
Ben Shelton defeated Tommy Paul 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open, as he showed his vicious serving power once more.
Shelton served up one ace in the third set that touched 149 miles per hour, not the first time he had got close to the 150mph mark in New York.
Shelton met Paul in the Australian Open in the last-eight stage at the start of the year and suffered a four-set defeat, and despite being up 4-1 in the third set, he rallied from disappointment to close out his win.
"I learned to be mentally tough," Shelton said after the match. "When I was playing in Australia after a long week I was looking at my box saying 'My legs are dead, I am tired, I can't go anymore'. I realised how important it is to believe in myself. That I can go the full way emotionally and physically and now I have that belief here."
The tie lasted two hours and 50 minutes and victory for the 20--year-old makes him the youngest US player to reach the last eight since Andy Roddick in 2002.
He will play Frances Tiafoe or Rinky Hijikata on Tuesday.
"Being at home here in front of an American crowd, I have felt the love all week. I played another American today and we had a great battle. I think the crowd was pretty split but thank you guys for coming out, an unbelievable atmosphere," Shelton added. "It is hard to believe I am playing on Arthur Ashe right now with the stands completely full."
It looked like it could be a straightforward victory for Paul, the American No. 2, after he raced into a 3-1 lead in the first set, but a crucial break of serve at 3-2 swung momentum into the 20-year-old's favour.
He would then stave off three break points for a crucial hold, broke Paul once again, before comprehensively wrapping up the 10th game to love to prevail 6-4.
Shelton was suddenly one set away from victory with an even more convincing display in the second set, breaking Paul twice more, and holding all of his service games in the process.
But Paul's powers of recovery were hugely impressive, after moving from the brink of elimination to claim a pulsating third set - despite being left to offer his applause as Shelton sent down the fastest serve of the tournament.
Despite Shelton serving at almost 150mph for the second time in New York this week, the world No. 14 bounced back from 4-1 down to incredibly win 6-4 and take the match into a fourth set, serving out the 10th game to 15, before the younger man won the fourth set by the same scoreline.
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