Ben Shelton's recent triumph at the Canadian Open has left tennis fans and analysts alike in awe, and former world number one Jim Courier is no exception. In a recent interview, Courier highlighted what he found 'wild' about Shelton's performance, particularly his statistics during the final three matches of the tournament.
Courier noted that Shelton's unforced error-to-winner count was astonishing. In the quarter-finals against Jakub Mensik, Shelton recorded 18 winners and only 3 unforced errors. This trend continued in the semi-finals against Learner Tien, where he achieved 22 winners and 23 unforced errors. Finally, in the final against Brandon Nakashima, Shelton's numbers were equally impressive with 22 winners and 12 unforced errors.
This level of dominance is not just a one-off performance. Courier pointed out that Shelton has been working hard and is a great competitor, which has paid dividends in his recent success. The 23-year-old's clinical approach, especially in crucial moments, has earned him a place among the greats who have won multiple Canadian Open titles.
Courier's admiration for Shelton is evident as he praises his maturity and ability to bring it all together on the court. The former world number one believes that Shelton's forehand down the line on match point was the perfect exclamation point for his performance in Montreal. While his serve is already known to be amazing, Courier also noted a maturity in Shelton's game, suggesting that he has moved away from being too trigger-happy in the past.
Looking ahead, Courier predicts that Shelton's current ranking of sixth will position him well for the rest of the season. With Novak Djokovic and the top two players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, not participating in certain events, Shelton has a good chance to challenge himself against the best. However, Courier also acknowledges that players like Alexander Zverev will start to play better, making the competition even tougher.
Despite the challenges ahead, Courier believes that Shelton has the belief and the aura to take on these opportunities. He suggests that Shelton should continue to take advantage of these draws and build his confidence while also creating an intimidating presence on the court. This is a significant step up from his performance 12 months ago when he reached the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals after winning in Canada.
In conclusion, Ben Shelton's Canadian Open victory has not only solidified his place in tennis history but has also sparked excitement and anticipation for his future performances. With his current form and the right mindset, Shelton is poised to become a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world.
