Ben Shelton fell to a disappointing loss during his tennis match for months following his withdrawal from the US Open.
The American had cemented himself as a top ten player earlier this year, particularly with his win at the Canadian Bank Open in the summer, but injuries have derailed his 2025.
Shelton missed the Japan Open and his return to tennis after a month was confirmed for the Shanghai Masters.
The star could drop out of the top eight before the ATP Tour Finals at the end of the year, and his early exit in the Shanghai Masters will not help things.
Shelton was humbled in straight sets at the Shanghai Masters and his surge up the rankings could be about to unravel.
Ben Shelton crashes out of the Shanghai Masters to David Goffin
Shelton was faced with the tricky prospect of a second round match with David Goffin, who has history at the Shanghai Masters.
The star reached the quarter-finals of the tournament in 2024, defeating the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and Alexander Zverev.
A former top 10 player, Goffin rolled back the years against Shelton, leaving the American with no answers in Shanghai.
Goffin raced to a 6-2, 6-4 victory against Shelton, picking up his second consecutive win against the American.
The World No. 87 also defeated Shelton at the Mexican Open in February, which means that two of his Goffin’s top 10 wins in 2025 have come against the American.
It’s unclear whether Shelton will continue with his season, but the American is clearly still feeling the effects of the injury that forced him out of the US Open.
Jannik Sinner watched Ben Shelton crash out of Shanghai
There were plenty of eyes on Shelton’s match with Goffin at the Shanghai Masters, with many top players in the stands watching.
The opening match on the Shanghai Masters main court was watched by Francisco Comesana, Flavio Cobolli, and Arthur Rinderknech.
World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, fresh from his China Open win, was also in attendance for Shelton’s shock exit from the tournament.
The Italian was caught on camera reacting to an incredible shot by Goffin as he toppled the American.
