During a rain delay in a doubles play at the Shanghai Masters 2023, Ben Shelton welcomes a ball child beneath his umbrella
Ben Shelton won over spectators at the 2023 Shanghai Masters by graciously asking a ball child to borrow his umbrella during his doubles play in the rain.
Shelton and Hubert Hurkacz have teamed up at the ATP Masters 1000 men’s doubles event. In the first round, they faced up against Cameron Norrie and Rinky Hijikata.
Shelton and Hurkacz made a solid start to the match, taking a 5-4 lead in the opening set after converting on a vital break point. However, rain delayed play before they could finish the set.
The ball kids swiftly positioned themselves to protect the players from the rain, as is typical. Ben Shelton generously relieved a ball girl of her umbrella and instead encouraged her to sit near him, sharing the shelter, after seeing that the ball kids themselves had little protection from the storm.
The people in the stadium applauded enthusiastically in response to the American’s heartfelt act.
Ben Shelton and Hubert Hurkacz were in a good position to win the first set before the weather delay, leading 5-4. The stoppage, however, looked to have broken their flow, resulting in two critical breaks of service, allowing Cameron Norrie and Rinky Hijikata to win the first set 7-5.
Despite a remarkable comeback to win the second set 7-5, Shelton and Hurkacz were unable to achieve victory as Norrie and Hijikata won 7-5, 5-7, [10-6].
Ben Shelton will meet Jannik Sinner in a blockbuster match at the Shanghai Masters 2023 4R; Hubert Hurkacz will face Zhizhen Zhang. Ben Shelton has qualified for the Shanghai Masters 4R.
Ben Shelton is dominating the 2023 Shanghai Masters singles tournament. Following a first-round bye, the 19th seed opened his campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Jaume Munar.
The Americans then defeated Roman Safiullin in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to move to the fourth Round. The 21-year-old will face sixth seed Jannik Sinner in a showdown for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Sinner, meantime, advanced to the fourth Round after defeating Marcos Giron in the second Round 7-6(7), 6-2. He then defeated Sebastian Baez 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to earn a match against the American.
Hubert Hurkacz, Shelton’s doubles partner, has also advanced to the Round of 16 at the Shanghai Masters. Following a first-round bye, the Pole went on to overcome Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round and Yu Hsiou Hsu in the third.
In the fourth Round, Hurkacz will face local favorite Zhizhen Zhang. The Pole leads the series 1-0 against Zhang, having won their only prior meeting in straight sets at the 2019 Shanghai Masters.
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