“The heckling was insane in this match,” ‘Dialed-up’ Ben Shelton clears the air on hostile audience reactions as he gears up to face Jannik Sinner at the Indian Wells

Ben Shelton will now face Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters.

“The heckling was insane in this match,” ‘Dialed-up’ Ben Shelton clears the air on hostile audience reactions as he gears up to face Jannik Sinner at the Indian Wells

Ben Shelton

Ben Shelton has cleared the air about his post-match reaction towards a section of fans following his third-round victory against Francisco Cerundolo in the Indian Wells Tournament. The American won the match in a tiebreak in dramatic fashion 7-6 (7), 3-6, 7-6 (7).

The third-set tiebreak was the highlight of the match, with both players never having a two-point advantage until Ben Shelton converted his match point. However, a few minutes after he won, the American turned to the fans at his back and let out a roar. He hit the shushing gesture before going to shake hands with Francisco Cerundolo.

YouTube video

On Instagram, Shelton reshared a video taken by someone in the stands telling his fans to turn up the volume that he had been heckled by the fans in the stands. He wrote on Instagram:

FS Video
Volume up… the heckling was insane in this match. That's why I reacted after match pt [point]… but we got thru it.
Ben Shelton wrote
Ben Shelton's Instagram Story
Ben Shelton’s Instagram Story (Via Ben Shelton IG)

Also during the on-court interview, the 21-year-old said that he loved the way fans screamed for him, despite people also cheering for Cerundolo.

Shelton said:

Definitely took a lot out of me tonight. It’s just one of those atmospheres you love playing in. There are people screaming for me. There’s people screaming for Fran…It’s all love guys. I know you guys were screaming at me, but hopefully, we can still be friends!
Ben Shelton said

Despite Shelton’s great record on outdoor hardcourt, the player seems to be struggling in the California desert. He earlier defeated Jakub Mensik in a three-set thriller in what was dubbed the ‘battle of the youngsters’ and against Cerundolo he converted just one of his 10 break-point chances.

Ben Shelton to face Jannik Sinner in Indian Wells

Ben Shelton will face an in-form Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters. Despite their head-to-head at 1:1, the Australian Open champion has been predicted to win easily.

Ben Shelton and Jannik Sinner
Ben Shelton and Jannik Sinner (Credit: Eurosport and Yahoo)

Shelton would have to be more clinical against the fierce Italian tomorrow to get past him. The Italian who boasts a 14-0 record this season and two titles already has improved all aspects of his game over the past few months. He defeated Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-4 in the third round and is yet to lose a set in the tournament.

Shelton, on the other hand, has participated in six tournaments this season and has made it twice to the semifinals. His 10:5 win-loss record this season doesn’t stand well against Sinner.

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