Ben Shelton makes feelings clear on first matchup – Sports News
Ben Shelton is worked up to face Joao Fonseca for the first time in his profession (Image: Getty)
Ben Shelton is relishing the chance to face off in opposition to Joao Fonseca within the Munich quarterfinals.
On Wednesday, Shelton — who not too long ago modified his thoughts on the Miami Open courts — punched his ticket to a matchup versus Joao Fonseca with a 6-4, 7-6 victory over Alexander Blockx. Just a number of hours prior, the 19-year-old grew to become the first teenager to succeed in the Munich quarterfinals since Holger Rune (2022-2023) with a 6-3, 6-2 win in opposition to Arthur Rinderknech.
Speaking to Tennis TV instantly following his sturdy displaying, Shelton conceded that he’s been ready to face off in opposition to Fonseca ever for the reason that Brazilian first began making waves within the tennis world.
“I feel [it’s] a great matchup, one I’ve been anticipating, ready for,” Shelton mentioned. “I think it should be a lot of fun. We’re both entertainers. And, to be honest, it’s a match that [I’m] certainly looking forward to. I think the fans are very much gonna enjoy it, and that’s what I love the most.”
Despite claiming just three victories on clay in 2026, Shelton is finding his form on the surface at the perfect time. Against Blockx, the 23-year-old saved all three break points en route to improving to 14-5 on the season.
Joao Fonseca advanced to the Munich quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Arthur Rinderknech (Image: Getty)
“Yeah, it was a great test. I think that he has got a pretty complete game, a good mover for his size, a great server, he returns well, and plays well from the ground,” Shelton mentioned of Blockx.
“He’s a big talent. I saw some of his matches in challengers over the last 12, 18 months, and I knew that he was a problem, so excited to continue to watch him rise and happy to be in the quarters. I was trying to be aggressive and free. I kind of built on the last match that I played, and found some really good tennis.
“He definitely didn’t make things easy, it was difficult at times, I thought I was going to lose the second set, was down some set points, but to be able to hold my nerve, come up with the plays that I needed to in the big moments, gives me a lot of confidence.”
Taking down Fonseca shall be no simple activity, because the younger phenom saved all 9 break factors he confronted in his win over Rinderknech. “That was a super important key for today,” he mentioned of staying unbroken.
“I was pretty focused on today’s match, I knew it was going to be difficult. He’s already a great player, and here at altitude he can play very good tennis. Serve and volley, and drop shots. He’s full of weapons, so I needed to be very focused.
“He made some great returns today. At 3-2, when I was serving, that was a super important game to keep it up. I was Love-40, and then I made some good serves. For sure these points were key for today.”
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