By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, April 25, 2025
Photo credit: Rolex
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Ben Shelton made a remarkable comeback against Mariano Navone today in Madrid.
With Navone serving for the match at 6-4, 5-4, the atmosphere in Stadium 3 was electric, with fans rallying behind Shelton, urging him to push for a decisive third set.
In a moment of brilliance, the 12th-seeded Shelton unleashed a powerful running forehand down the line, achieving his first break of the match.
Fueled by his unstoppable lefty forehand, Shelton surged ahead past Navone, clinching the match 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 to advance to the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open.
After the match, Shelton expressed deep gratitude towards the crowd, highlighting their crucial role in his inspirational comeback. He even ran to the front row to share high-fives with the supporters who fueled his drive.
“The crowd really brought me back today. I was struggling a bit out there,” Shelton told Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj. “I needed that extra push. They really urged me on to achieve that break. Once I got over that hurdle, I felt myself loosening up and finding my rhythm.”
Shelton, a former All-American from Florida, thrives in boisterous environments and revealed how supportive fans enhance his focus.
“I do experience focus issues like anyone else, but the crowd elevates my game. It transforms the competition into a fun challenge, allowing me to unleash my best performances,” Shelton noted.
Historically, Shelton’s strong suit has been hard courts, where he reached Grand Slam semifinals in both New York City and Melbourne. However, he is embracing the unique challenges of clay, having recently secured five victories out of his last six matches on this surface. Impressively, three of these wins required three sets, showcasing Shelton’s resilience and strategic mindset.
While his backhand is still developing—often opting for a one-handed slice instead of fully committing to his two-hander—he’s adapting well to the nuances of clay play and gaining invaluable insights from defeats, like the one against Alexander Zverev in the Munich final.
“I’m gradually discovering my style and approach, and I feel like I’ve improved my movement on the red clay,” Shelton stated. “With good movement comes better play, and I’m loving every bit of it. I’ve faced several top clay-court competitors and learned something essential from each match. My goal is to excel on this surface over time,” he continued.
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come, progressing from winning only two matches in my first season on clay to now consistently advancing.”
Looking ahead, Shelton will face off against Miami Open champion and formidable baseline player Jakub Mensik next, after saving nine out of 11 break points in his latest match.
