Tokyo is a special place for Ben Shelton. After all, it is the city where last October the big-serving American claimed his first ATP Tour title.
Nearly one year later, the 21-year-old, who reached a career-high World No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings in August, is back where he made his title breakthrough.
“It just makes me excited to play here again,” Shelton said. “A lot of people talk about the pressure of defending something. I think I play my best tennis in the cities where I have great memories.”
Shelton entered the 2023 Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships just a month after achieving his career-best result at the US Open, where he reached the semi-finals. The American entered the Tokyo main draw unseeded and played in the same half of the draw as Top 10 players Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev.
While both Zverev and Ruud fell in the first and second round, respectively, Shelton’s path presented its own challenges. Three separate matches required three sets, and on each of those occasions, the 21-year-old began the match by losing the opening set.
In addition to winning his first title, the American believes that his thrilling run in Tokyo in 2023 him more fans in Japan.
“My practice courts have been packed so far this year. I think I really created something special in Tokyo last year,” said Shelton. “It was such a cool run for me, and I guess unexpected for me.”
[ATP APP]Shelton's title defence will begin Wednesday against Reilly Opelka. While Shelton defeated Opelka in two tie-breaks in the first round of the recent Cincinnati Open, the 21-year-old is expecting another stern challenge from his American countryman. This will be their second Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.
“You play a seven-footer who can make the ball do tricks. It’s difficult. You are not going to feel comfortable out there on the court,” Shelton noted. “Obviously we are good friends. I was able to get it done in Cincinnati, but I’m not expecting it’ll be an easy one.”
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