Eighth seed Ben Shelton overcame a nightmare start under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights to defeat Tallon Griekspoor 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 on Monday, advancing to the second round of the U.S. Open and setting up a clash against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz at Flushing Meadows.
Ben Shelton found himself in deep trouble before he ever settled into the U.S. Open on Monday night. The eighth seed endured a chaotic opening set against Tallon Griekspoor, dropping the frame in less than half an hour as unforced errors piled up under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights. Shelton committed 14 unforced errors, including two double faults, and managed to hold serve just once during a dominant opening push from the Dutchman.
Ben Shelton Rebounds After Shaky Opening Set Against Tallon Griekspoor
The 23-year-old American arrived in New York carrying fresh momentum after successfully defending his Canadian Open title earlier in the month, but the opening round proved far from straightforward against an opponent who entered the tournament following a major upset over top seed Alexander Zverev in Montreal.
Shelton added perspective on his opponent’s style, noting that Griekspoor’s attacking game and lack of steady rhythm created immediate challenges on court.
“Obviously, a lot of credit to Tallon, he’s a good player to play, he doesn’t give you a lot of rhythm. He has an attacking game style and I found things really difficult for the first set tonight.”
Ben Shelton, eighth seed
Turning the Script Under Arthur Ashe Stadium Lights
The script flipped completely once the second set got underway. Shelton sharpened his serve, found his range from the baseline, and broke Griekspoor three times to level the match swiftly at one set apiece. The third set proved to be the toughest hurdle, extending into a tight tiebreak where Griekspoor’s errors proved costly. Shelton sealed the frame when the Dutchman committed his sixth double fault of the match, handing the American a crucial advantage.
With momentum firmly on his side, Shelton seized complete control in the fourth set. He raced to a 4-0 lead before closing out the match to secure his place in the next round.
Chasing History and Next Round Clash Against Hubert Hurkacz
Shelton is vying to become the first American man to win the singles title at Flushing Meadows since 2003. Despite a mixed run across other Grand Slam tournaments this year, his hardcourt momentum remains intact as he navigates the draw in New York.
Shelton now turns his focus toward a second-round meeting with Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz as he continues his hunt for a first career Grand Slam title.
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