Ben Shelton set to face World No. 1 Sinner in fourth round of Wimbledon

Ben Shelton’s run at Wimbledon continued on Saturday as he advanced to the fourth round of the main draw with a win over left-handed Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

It took two days to complete the match. Rain forced tournament officials to suspend play on Friday after just five games. Shelton needed just over three hours to complete yet another five-set comeback win, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

“We’re back, big dog,” Shelton said after the game, acknowledging the 30th anniversary of his father’s fourth-round run at the tournament. Bryan Shelton, who coached Ben at the University of Florida, is often shown on the broadcasts advising his son from the stands.

Shelton will face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner next. The two have met three times, Sinner winning the two more recent contests. Shelton shrugged off the name when asked about his opponent, drawing a few chuckles from the crowd.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for me, a great challenge and test,” he said. “The biggest challenge in tennis is playing the top-ranked player in the world. But I’m never somebody to be scared of going into a match or feel unprepared. I’m always confident in my abilities no matter who is on the other side of the net.”

Doubles play suspended at Wimbledon

Shelton also began his run in the doubles bracket at Wimbledon with fellow American Mackenzie McDonald on Saturday.

The duo hasn’t played together competitively since last summer, but they nearly pulled off a two-set victory in the first round. However, the Italian pairing of Flavio Cobolli and Lorenzo Sonego won a second-set tiebreak, 6-3, to force a third set.

That deciding set will be played on Sunday after rain left the ground oversaturated and unplayable.

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