Ben Shelton continued an impressive start to the 2023 season in his career after starting at the ATP 500 level tournament, the Barcelona Open.
The world number 37 defeated compatriot Mackenzie McDonald 7-5 6-4 in the first round of the Barcelona Open.
The 20-year-old, who was competing in the ATP clay-court tournament for the first time in her career in Estoril two weeks ago, converted five of the six break point opportunities she created in a 99-minute match against world number 54 McDonald.
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The world number 37’s powerful serve and forehand were especially important as she won four straight games from 2-4 in the second set to claim victory.
“I think this is definitely a positive start to the tournament for me,” said Shelton. “And I think I did some things well, some things I could have done better, and in the next few days I hope to improve on that and sharpen my game.”
“I feel good about the way I competed this time. There’s a bit more ups and downs and some things can be challenging. So I’m excited about how tough I am mentally and competitively.”
The American will next face third seed Casper Ruud in the second round of the Barcelona Open. In August, she was surprisingly able to beat the Norwegian in straight sets in the hard-court tournament, the Cincinnati Open. This time, the American knows she must find a winning formula without the element of surprise against the Norwegian, who has won nine clay-court titles.
“Different pitches, different situations,” Shelton said. “I think he didn’t know who I was the last time I fight him, and now he knows me. I assume he will be better prepared for some of the things I will bring to him and I am really excited for the match.”
In other actions, the host’s tennis player, Bernabe Zapata Miralles appeared mighty when he slaughtered the Hungarian national, Attila Balazs 6-2, 6-2 and booked the second round match of the Barcelona Open against his compatriot and 13th seed, Roberto Bautista Agut.
Emil Ruusuvuori also enjoyed a comfortable win after the Finn crushed Kazakhstan international Alexander Bublik 6-0 6-3 in just 56 minutes.
Ruusuvuori will face fifth seed Frances Tiafoe in the second round of the Barcelona Open.
