Ben Shelton advances to Round 4 of Wimbledon Championships
The former Florida Gators and current No. 10-ranked player in the world defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in Round 2 on Thursday/Friday, and he took down Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 in the third round on Saturday.
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Shelton reached the fourth round of Wimbledon a year ago only to fall in straight sets to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. He'll have to defeat Italian Lorenzo Sonego to reach the quarter-finals this year, and his prize is a rematch against Sinner with even more at stake.
Round 2: Shelton def. Hijikata (6-2, 7-5, 6-4)
Shelton once again relied on his powerful left-handed score to cruise through the second round on Thursday. He hit 47 winners and 11 aces while winning 75% of first serves. A controversial suspension of play interrupted the dominant win, however.
Both players asked for a stoppage earlier in the match due to fading light. When the umpire made the call with just one round left, both players and the fans erupted in protest.
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Shelton channeled those frustrations into a win the very next day. He only needed one minute to secure the win, making good on the shot he called while pleading with the umpire the night before.
Round 3: Shelton def. Fucsovics (6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2)
Shelton continued his dominant run through the first weekend of Wimbledon by winning 81% of his first serves, delivering nine aces and zero double faults. It only took two hours for Shelton to advance, which is beneficial after losing a day of rest thanks to the stoppage during Round 2.
During the match, Shelton sent serves at 145, 146, 147 and finally 148 mph. That would have broken the Wimbledon record for the fastest serve of all time, but Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard had a 153 mph serve earlier in the week.
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'I had a lot of fun,' Shelton said. 'It's always special playing at Wimbledon. This is my third time playing on Court No 1. Hopefully I get a few more matches on one of these two big courts. I'm trying to make my way to Centre Court. Maybe I'll get there one day.'
Do what he says, Morgan Stanley
On a more lighthearted note, Shelton had some fun at a major investment bank's expense after his Round 3 win.
"I've been playing well this week. It's not just been me here. I have a great team. My parents are here. My girlfriend's here. Also, my sister's here. She's been here for every match that I've played this tournament so far. She's been the lucky charm," Shelton said.
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He made a plea to get his sister, Emma, some more time off work, with hopes of keeping the good luck rolling.
"If any of y'all have some (connections) and get her a couple extra days off so she can (stay). We can keep this rolling, that'd be great," he said.
The brief saga had a happy ending with Shelton posting an Instagram story seemingly confirming his sister's paid time off being approved. Smart move, Morgan Stanley.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida tennis alum Ben Shelton advances to Round 4 at Wimbledon
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