Ben Shelton Advances to Wimbledon Quarterfinals
American tennis player Ben Shelton, seeded number 10, secured his place in the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time in his career. He achieved this after defeating Lorenzo Sonego with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1), 7-5.
This victory not only represents a personal milestone for Shelton, but also secures a significant family achievement.
Thirty-one years ago, Shelton’s father and current coach, Bryan, lost in the round of 16 at Wimbledon. This was Bryan’s best performance in a Grand Slam.
Shelton, 22, becomes the fourth Black American man to reach the quarterfinals at the All England Club since the start of the Open era.
- Arthur Ashe (three times)
- MaliVai Washington (1996)
- Christopher Eubanks (2023)
Shelton, like other prominent tennis players, played college tennis. He joins Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals, extending a streak where two American men have reached the quarters in five consecutive Slams.
Shelton, who previously reached the semifinals in Melbourne and Flushing Meadows, lost the first set of the tournament, but reacted strongly.
This was the third time this year that Shelton and Sonego faced each other in a Grand Slam tournament, with Shelton winning the previous encounters at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
