Oct 23, 2024; Basel, Switzerland; Rising star Ben Shelton from the USA showcased his incredible talent in his debut match at the Swiss Indoors, taking on Argentina’s Tomás Martín Etcheverry in the Round of 32. The 22-year-old was in absolute control, dispatching Etcheverry in straight sets with scores of 6-3, 6-4, a performance that has set the stage for his tournament.
Despite the strong performance, the match was not without its share of drama. A contentious call during the opening set sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. Leading 3-2, Shelton’s return struck Etcheverry on the leg before soaring out of play, but video replays revealed the ball was actually out of bounds. Instead of a crucial 30-30, Shelton capitalized, moving to 40-15 and ultimately breaking Etcheverry’s serve in the next point. While the incorrect call didn’t alter the match’s outcome, it certainly shifted the momentum in Shelton’s favor.
Adding to the peculiar atmosphere, a fan took the opportunity to propose to Shelton from the stands during the second set. Shelton chuckled at the unexpected interruption but kept his focus, continuing to deliver powerful serves that left Etcheverry struggling to respond.
With this convincing win, Shelton advances to face either Adrian Mannarino or Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka in the Round of 16 on October 25. The victor of that encounter is anticipated to clash with Russian powerhouse Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals, a matchup that promises to be highly competitive.
Currently ranked No. 23 in the ATP World Rankings, Shelton boasts an impressive season record of 38 wins and 23 losses, along with one singles title to his name. Tennis enthusiasts can stay updated with all the latest developments by following Sports Illustrated’s Serve on SI.
