2023-10-17 12:37:00
Shelton with character
He definitely seems to be taking on his new status of Top 20 in the world well. Brilliant quarter-finalist in Shanghai last week, Ben Shelton did not have fun once morest the Japanese Taro Daniel, 97th in the world, in the first round of the ATP 500 tournament in Tokyo on Tuesday. But the American was able to find a solution in a day without to overthrow the hero of the public (3-6, 6-4, 7-6) in 2h32 of play. For his next match, he will challenge Jordan Thompson, striker by Alexander Zverev.
Very messy (47 unforced errors including 7 double faults), Shelton had the intelligence to gradually adapt his game to his opponent. He agreed to be more patient in the exchange in sequences so as not to lock himself into an ultra-offensive tactic which did not pay off. While he had lost his serve twice in the first set, he was able to protect it in the next two, before tightening the game in the decisive tie-break won 7 points to 2.
De Minaur got hot
Earlier this Tuesday, Alex de Minaur didn’t go far from the exit either. The Australian, currently 13th player in the world and in the race for the Masters, had all the difficulty in the world to overthrow the powerful British left-hander Jack Draper, 88th in the ATP and from qualifying, with a score of 4-6, 7 -6, 7-6) in more than three hours of combat (3h05 precisely). Trailing by a set and a break, the Australian had the merit of hanging on. A duel of blockers awaits him in the 2nd round once morest the resurgent Diego Schwartzman, clear winner over his compatriot Francisco Cerundolo (6-4, 6-1).
Manhandled, De Minaur gave up nothing to beat Draper to the post: the summary
Fritz convincing
This entry into the running was not the easiest on paper. Outgoing champion in Japan, Taylor Fritz had a meeting with a member of the Top 20 in the person of Cameron Norrie. But despite a break conceded quickly, the Californian, seeded in the tournament, quickly took the measure of the Briton in two sets (6-4, 6-3) and 1h20 of play. In the 2nd round, he will be opposed to the Japanese sensation Shintaro Mochizuki, 215th in the world and invited by the organization, who scored his first victory on the circuit and a great performance once morest 31st in the world Tomas Martin Etcheverry (6-4, 7-6).
More impactful, Fritz mastered Norrie: the summary
Ruud does the job
At the other end of the table, the number 2 seed of the tournament also made a successful debut. Opposed to the Japanese Yosuke Watanuki, 73rd in the world, holder of a wild card and overmotivated at home, Casper Ruud knew how to lead his boat with patience and method. Hooked in the first set, he saved a set point in the tie-break before snatching it 8 points to 6. Subsequently, he found more precision on the restart and length in the exchange for s win in two sets (7-6, 6-3) and 1h46 of play once morest an opponent who generally made the points and the mistakes. In the 2nd round, the Norwegian meets the American Marcos Giron.
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