Ben Shelton ‘pumped’ to face Novak Djokovic in the biggest match of his career at US Open

Ben Shelton on facing Novak Djokovic in the next match

Ben Shelton ‘pumped’ to face Novak Djokovic in the biggest match of his career at US Open

Novak Djokovic (L) and Ben Shelton (R) (Credits: Sky Sports and Racquet Magazine)

Ben Shelton and Novak Djokovic are at opposite ends of their careers, but their match in the US Open semi-finals on Friday is anticipated to be thrilling. Djokovic defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets to continue his quest for a record-extending 24th Grand Slam championship. Meanwhile, Shelton, 20, beat 10th seed Frances Tiafoe in an all-American quarterfinal.

Shelton advanced to his first Grand Slam semi-final with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2 victory, his sixth at this level. Three-time US Open champion Djokovic will, of course, be the overwhelming favorite to win the match in Flushing Meadows, but given Shelton’s meteoric rise in 2023, the meeting promises to be anything but one-sided.

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Talking about his World No. 2 opponent he said “I think that whenever you play somebody for the first time and someone who has been in this situation so many times and come out victorious so many times, that’s in the back of your head.”

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He was all praises for the soon-to-be World No. 1. He was quoted as saying that everyone knows how rock solid the guy is and how mentally tough and how physically tough he is. That is also something that the American will take into consideration and plan for.  

The 20-year-old also added that he has an advantage with his game style as he is playing someone he has never played before.  He could bring some things to the table that maybe one does not get to see in a normal match at the ATP tour. He is hoping to bring some “different” and “disruptive” things on Friday.

Shelton expressed, “Going into the semi-finals, I’m pretty pumped about the opportunity to go back out there and have the same feeling that I had today against another really tough opponent.”

The young tennis player said that he has been enjoying every minute on the court, interacting with the crowds and the tennis that’s being played. He is looking forward to bringing a high level again on Friday.

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Ben Shelton causes upset as he defeats Frances Tiafoe

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Ben Shelton (Credits: Le Matin)

Shelton energized the crowd with frequent lung-busting roars to his box, whereas Tiafoe, known as one of the game’s most entertaining showmen, cut a more reserved figure throughout, perhaps reflecting the pressure of being the favorite against his younger countryman and defending the semi-final points he earned last year.

Despite being broken four times, Shelton came up big in the fourth set, dropping only four points on his serve. He had 50 wins against Tiafoe’s 33 throughout the match. Shelton smashed 14 aces and took strong forehand cutters from well behind the baseline when he stepped into the court, hitting a streak of winners both down the line and crosscourt.

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