01/13/26 07:40:00
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01/13 19:35 CST American Ben Shelton advances to the Auckland ATP quarterfinals
American Ben Shelton advances to the Auckland ATP quarterfinals
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) --- Eighth-ranked Ben Shelton "knocked off the rust"
in his first match of 2026 on Wednesday with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Francisco
Comesana in the ATP Tour event in Auckland, New Zealand.
As the top-seeded player, the American had a bye through the first round of ATP
250 tournament which he has chosen to start his season in each of his last four
years.
With his coach and father Brian Shelton and his partner, U.S. women's soccer
team star Trinity Rodman courtside, Shelton saved a set point in the first set
to beat 68th-ranked Argentina player in 1 hour, 42 minutes.
Shelton had 12 aces and won 78% of first-serve points but his game showed signs
of recent inactivity.
"I feel great, knocked off a little bit of rust but just feel great to be back
playing, back competing," Shelton said. "I think it's great when you get to
play a competitive match, feel the tension at certain points of the match and
then obviously get a win and give yourself the opportunity to play again."
Shelton faced a break point in his first service game as he tried to get into
his rhythm, backing up his first serve by attacking short returns. He found
Comesana's serve hard to crack at first. The Argentine had a set point at 5-4
but with Shelton at the net and the back court open, he overhit his backhand
down the line.
It was his last chance. Shelton held then broke Comesana for 6-5 and held to
take the set in 1 hour, 29 minutes. He then broke Comesana again in the first
game of the second set and carried the break to clinch the match.
The ATP Auckland stop is a tuneup event for the Australian Open which starts
Sunday in Melbourne.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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