The 21-year-old tennis player Ben Shelton beat Dan Evans in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, avoiding an early departure. After a difficult beginning, Shelton battled back to win the match with scores of 2-6, 7-5, and 7-6 (5). Shelton conveyed his happiness with the match, saying that it was a challenging battle and that winning the first set is a noteworthy accomplishment, particularly after losing the first set.
Evans’ Narrow Escape and Turnaround in a Tense Match
Evans took the lead in the first set, but he lost the second set without winning a game, and in the third set, he found himself in a tight position. With a forceful forehand, he seized the lead and stopped Shelton’s backhand pass from putting him in danger. Evans, 33, remained composed and took advantage of Shelton’s mistakes to mount a forceful comeback. But he found it difficult to complete the triumph, as Shelton’s aggressive play cost him his serve, setting up a tiebreak to decide the fate of the match.
Shelton’s Triumph and Draper’s Revenge
In an intense exchange of mini-breaks, the players kicked off the match with a fierce competition, until one player managed to maintain a steady lead in the subsequent points. Leading 5-4, Shelton unleashed a powerful inside-in forehand, which his opponent failed to return, setting up two additional opportunities to clinch the match. After several attempts, Shelton secured his victory at the 2-hour and 43-minute mark with a flawless serve-and-volley combination.
Shelton, a semifinalist at the 2023 US Open, showcased his skill with a tally of 43 winners against 40 unforced errors. His next challenge could be against Taylor Fritz in the second round, contingent on Fritz’s victory over Matteo Arnaldi.
In another match, Jack Draper made a striking comeback against the previous year’s finalist, Paul, with a convincing 6-0, 6-4 victory in just 85 minutes. This win served as a redemption for his earlier loss at the Australian Open. Draper, demonstrating exceptional skill, saved all break points against him in the first set and secured the win by breaking Paul’s serve once again, capitalizing on his opponent’s errant forehand.
