American Ben Shelton closes in on Top 10 debut with Stuttgart run

Ben Shelton looks to continue a spring of American success with a maiden voyage into the Top 10. The No. 3 seed finds himself on the brink of clinching a new career-high ranking after a 7-6 (4), 7-5 win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert at the BOSS Open in Stuttgart.

“I’m really happy to get my first win here in Stuttgart,” Shelton said on court after the match. “I thought I played great in the big moments today down the stretch. I’m just really happy to be back on the grass, competing. It’s a completely different game, playing on this surface. Hopefully I can get better and better as this week goes.”

Shelton reached the second week of Roland Garros last week alongside fellow Americans Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, Paul and Tiafoe both making the quarterfinals while Shelton pushed eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz to four sets in the fourth round.

I feel way ahead of where I was at this time last year with my movement and grass-court play. I have a lot of hope with what I can accomplish on the grass and I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do the rest of the week here in Stuttgart. Ben Shelton

Currently ranked No. 12 in the ATP rankings, the 22-year-old Shelton could rise as high as No. 10 with a strong run in Stuttgart, joining Paul and Taylor Fritz in the Top 10. Only world No. 11 Daniil Medvedev, can pass Shelton this week; the former world No. 1 is the top seed at the Libema Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and will play his opening round against Adrian Mannarino on Thursday.

Shelton played only his 14th career match on grass Wednesday, pulling his record to a level 7-7 after overcoming Herbert in one hour and 50 minutes.

“It’s different for everybody,” Shelton said of the adjustment from clay to grass. “It depends on how many matches you get, how quickly you’re able to have an open mind and adapt to the surface.

“I feel way ahead of where I was at this time last year with my movement and grass-court play. I have a lot of hope with what I can accomplish on the grass and I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do the rest of the week here in Stuttgart.”

Shelton will next face No. 8 seed Jiri Lehecka, who defeated former world No. 21 Jan-Lennard Struff, 6-4, 6-4. This will be the first meeting between Shelton and Lehecka.