Ben Shelton took his fifth Tour title with a 6-2 7-5 win over Flavio Cobolli as he admits the clay is slowly changing into considered one of his favorite surfaces.
After dropping within the last to Alexander Zverev final 12 months, Shelton avenged the end result to win his second clay title and develop into the primary American in collection historical past to win three ATP 500 titles.
Following the win, Shelton teased his ambitions on clay as Roland Garros quick approaches. The American was knocked out within the spherical of 16 final 12 months by Carlos Alcaraz, who went on to win.
“I came out at a really high level and I’ve done that before against him,” Shelton stated. “The toughest thing is maintaining it against him as he raises his level.
“I used to be ready to try this within the second set, dangle in there when he performed some nice tennis and are available by to win that in straight units.
“I am proud of my efficiency this week. I obtained higher and higher because the week went on and simply actually proud of the work that me and my workforce put in right here.
“Transferring ahead, I’ve massive ambitions for the clay courts, a floor that I wish to get higher and higher on every year and it is slowly changing into considered one of my favorite surfaces to play on.
“This is just one step in a long swing and let’s see what happens.”
The tone of the match was set early on, with Shelton breaking Cobolli’s serve within the first sport earlier than warding off six break factors in his first service sport.
The 23-year-old Italian had performed considered one of his greatest ever matches yesterday to defeat Zverev and make his second Tour last this 12 months, however within the last he was unable to duplicate the finesse proven the day prior.
Shelton’s win additionally makes him the primary American since Andre Agassi in 2002 to win a title on clay above the ATP 250 degree, having gained his first clay title in Houston in 2024.
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