Ben Shelton Powers Into Cincinnati Open Quarters, Faces Zverev Next
Ben Shelton has been on a tear lately, and the Cincinnati Open crowd got to see exactly why. At just 22 years old, the Florida native is bringing serious energy and power to the hard courts, showing no signs of slowing down. While top players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz took the week off in Canada to rest, Shelton was doing the opposite—winning the title there, then heading straight to Mason, Ohio, to keep the momentum going. And now, he’s in the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals.
His latest win came against 22nd-seeded Czech player Jiri Lehecka, a crafty opponent who tested him with drop shots and changes of pace. But Shelton’s big serve and ability to find his rhythm in the key moments made the difference. In both sets, he broke serve in the ninth game and closed each out with strong serving to secure a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
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Shelton admitted he never thought twice about playing back-to-back tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati. He loves hard courts, thrives in the heat, and feels his game is peaking at just the right time before the U.S. Open. His playing style adds to the fun for fans—mixing blistering aces, sharp angles, and moments of flair, like throwing in his own drop shots when least expected. Even when he wasn’t satisfied with his serving, the crowd saw him blast seven aces, including one at 141 mph in the final game.
Lehecka had moments of resistance, even breaking Shelton early in the second set. But Shelton immediately broke back and never allowed another opening on his serve. The pattern was the same in both sets—build pressure, break late, then finish with a serving clinic. When Shelton served for the sets, the points often looked untouchable: high-speed winners, perfectly placed serves, and not a hint of nerves.
The win extends Shelton’s career-best winning streak to nine matches. He’s now the first American man since Mardy Fish in 2012 to reach the quarterfinals at both the Canadian and Cincinnati Masters events in the same summer.
Now comes the real test—third seed Alexander Zverev. Shelton has faced the German three times before and has yet to win, though their matches have been competitive on hard and grass courts. The last time they met here in Cincinnati, Shelton even took a set. This time, with momentum and confidence on his side, he’s hoping for a breakthrough.
Shelton summed up his mindset simply: he’s feeling good, improving every match, and eager to see where his game stands after facing Zverev. For now, fans can enjoy the ride—because Shelton’s mix of power, grit, and charisma is making this summer swing one to remember.
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