Shelton launches his US Open with a commanding victory

Ben Shelton, the No. 6 seed at the US Open, kicked off his campaign with a controlled win against qualifier Ignacio Buse (6-3, 6-2, 6-4).

For the very first match of the tournament on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the organizers had decided to schedule the match of Ben Shelton, a new member of the top 10 this year and a semifinalist in New York in 2023.

The recent winner of the Toronto Masters 1000, Shelton delivered in front of his home crowd with 35 winners, 5 aces, and 79% of points won behind his first serve. He also delighted spectators with a stunning banana shot in the second set, worthy of a certain Rafael Nadal (see video below).

In the second round, the American should have some breathing room against Pablo Carreno Busta, a former semifinalist in 2017 and 2020 but now fallen to No. 137 in the world, or against qualifier Pablo Llamas Ruiz.

Among the other seeded men in action early in the day in New York, Jakub Mensik held his ground against Nicolas Jarry (7-6, 6-3, 6-4), as did Alejandro Davidovich Fokina against Alexander Shevchenko (6-1, 6-1, 6-2).