Ben Shelton kept his momentum rolling after capturing what he called the biggest title of his career in Toronto, as he pushed into the fourth round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. The sixth-ranked American enjoyed a favorable path: after a first-round bye, he benefited from a retirement by Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the second set, winning 6-3, 3-1, before defeating Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets. Rain-related delays shuffled the schedule, giving Shelton an extra day of rest ahead of his round-four clash.
Shelton will meet Jiri Lehecka for the second time this season, with their only prior encounter coming on the grass in Stuttgart, where Shelton prevailed 6-4, 6-4. Lehecka earned his spot by edging Tristan Boyer in three sets and overcoming Adam Walton in two tiebreaks. The Czech youngster has shown steady form but is just 17-14 in his last 31 matches after opening the season 13-2.
A key storyline is Shelton’s increasing variety, especially off the backhand, which has helped him adapt to different surfaces and opponents this summer. Lehecka, by contrast, is known for his power game and flat hitting, and he tends to stick with that one speed. If Shelton can maintain his fitness and keep up the tactical variety, he could be well-placed to extend his run.
Prediction: Shelton in three sets.
Summary for readers: Shelton’s Toronto triumph has translated into continued late-summer momentum as he navigates a potential Stuttgart rematch against Lehecka in Cincinnati. His improved backhand versatility and strong conditioning are highlighted as factors that could carry him deeper into the tournament, weathering Lehecka’s power and pace.
Additional notes:
– This match-up highlights a contrast between Shelton’s evolving all-court game and Lehecka’s power-first approach.
– Fans should watch how Shelton handles the transition between surfaces and the cadence changes brought by rain delays.
– If Shelton advances, his run would set a positive tone heading into the late summer events and beyond, reaffirming his status as a rising force in American tennis.