Ben Shelton defeated fellow American Reilly Opelka in two tie-break sets to advance to the next stage at the 2024 Cincinnati Open. The courts at the Cincinnati Open are rapid, solid courts, where serves can cause significant damage, a characteristic possessed by both players who met in the first round of this ATP Masters 1000.
Additionally, this year, lighter tennis balls are being used in Cincinnati, resulting in rapid movement through the air, particularly after a powerful serve. Due to these factors, it was unlikely that this initial encounter would have many breaks, and indeed, there were none.
Interestingly, there were numerous break points. Shelton faced 5 break points, while Opelka faced 2, yet neither player was able to convert any of them. The younger American delivered 6 aces, while Opelka managed 19.
Both players excelled on their first serves, enabling them to hold their serves despite facing break points. Shelton won an impressive 91% of points behind his first serve, while Opelka won 88%.
In terms of numbers, Shelton only dropped five points behind his first serve, while Opelka lost six throughout the entire match. Both players had opportunities to break, but neither succeeded, despite their strong performance from the baseline.
Opelka displayed a more aggressive style, finishing with 31 winners compared to Shelton’s 21. However, when excluding aces, the true picture emerges. Shelton secured 15 live-action winners, while Opelka managed only 12.
Consequently, Shelton outperformed his older compatriot when it truly mattered. In the first tie-break, the younger American gained a mini break at 3-3, winning four consecutive points to secure the tie-break with a score of 7-3.
The second tie-break concluded with the same score, 7-3, although this time, Shelton obtained a mini break at 3-2. He swiftly took a 5-2 lead and ultimately won the tie-break 7-3.
It was a straightforward match without much excitement for the spectators, who witnessed exceptional serving. The rallies were predominantly short, often concluding within one or two shots after the serve, if not with the serve itself.
Shelton emerged victorious, winning the match 7-6(3), 7-6(3), which is fitting considering he is currently the superior player. Opelka has recently returned to the circuit and requires more time to challenge opponents of Shelton’s caliber.
Photo from Ben Shelton Instagram
