Round of 16: Shelton survives the thriller

A runner-up at the US Open but less successful since then, Ben Shelton arrived in Paris searching for fresh momentum ahead of the ATP Finals in Turin, where he hopes to be at his very best.

After suffering a dip in concentration during the second set against Cameron Norrie in his opening match, the American once again needed some time to find his rhythm in the Round of 16. But once he got going and the momentum swung his way, he proved too strong for Arthur Rinderknech, prevailing 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) after 2h03.

Having produced an outstanding performance against Mattia Bellucci in the previous round, the Frenchman started this marquee encounter in the same fashion. Untouchable behind serve throughout the opening set, winning all but one point behind his first delivery, he was aggressive and proactive from the outset, winning all eight of his approaches to the net. The strategy paid off as he surged into a 4-2 lead before taking the set.

That early blow had the effect of completely waking up Shelton. As the American gradually raised his level, a slight drop in precision appeared on the other side of the net. Committing just a single unforced error throughout the second set, Shelton converted his first break point of the match, which also happened to be a set point, to level the contest and completely alter the dynamic of this high-quality battle.

With one set apiece after two contrasting acts, predicting the outcome of the second Franco-American duel of the day became almost impossible. Powerful, accurate and impressively mobile for a player of his stature, the world No.4 regularly gained the upper hand and applied constant pressure in return games. Yet he was unable to shake off the home favourite, who repeatedly brought the crowd to its feet with inspired shot-making throughout the afternoon.

And what better way to separate two players so evenly matched, both statistically and stylistically, than a deciding tie-break?

Despite trailing 2-4, Shelton delivered his biggest serves and most decisive returns at exactly the right moment to secure his place in the quarter-finals, matching his run from 2025.

“It was a very close match and a very high-quality one,” Shelton told ATP Media afterwards. “I had opportunities to break in the third set but I barely got a racquet on some of those serves. Credit to Arthur, he played really well and he had beaten me in our only previous meeting. “In the tie-break, I made the returns I needed to make, and on a court this quick, that can make all the difference.”

To go one step further than last year, “Benny” now has a date with “Tommy” in what promises to be a fascinating showdown between friends.