Shelton Overcomes ‘Rust’ to Reach Auckland Quarterfinals
In an impressive display, eighth-ranked Ben Shelton overcame early-season nerves to secure a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Francisco Comesana at the ATP Tour event in Auckland, New Zealand. This win marks Shelton’s first match of 2026, showcasing his readiness to compete after a period of inactivity.
Shelton’s Performance in Auckland
As the top seed in this ATP 250 tournament, Shelton enjoyed a bye in the first round. He has used this event to kick off his season for the past four years. With his father and coach, Brian Shelton, alongside Trinity Rodman, a star of the U.S. women’s soccer team, Shelton faced a tough challenge against Comesana, currently ranked 68th.
Despite saving a set point in the first set, Shelton demonstrated resilience and determination. He recorded 12 aces and won an impressive 78% of his first serve points. However, he acknowledged that his game still had traces of rust. “I feel great, knocked off a little bit of rust, but just feel great to be back playing,” Shelton remarked after the match.
Key Match Highlights
- Shelton faced a crucial break point in his initial service game.
- Comesana had a set point opportunity at 5-4 but failed to convert.
- Shelton broke Comesana in the final moments of the first set to win 7-5.
- He broke Comesana again at the start of the second set, securing his victory.
Other Tournament Updates
The Auckland event serves as a key warm-up for the Australian Open, starting this Sunday in Melbourne. Notably, second-seeded Casper Ruud was upset in the second round by unseeded Hungarian player Fabian Marozsan, with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Marozsan had previously eliminated the defending champion, Gael Monfils, in the first round.
Additionally, fifth-seeded Cameron Norrie was also knocked out, losing to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a tight match that finished 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). Another upset occurred when Alejandro Tabilo, the 2024 Auckland champion, defeated fourth-seeded Luciano Darderi with a score of 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.
As the tournament progresses, players will look to solidify their form ahead of the Australian Open, with Shelton’s steady performance placing him as a strong contender moving forward.
