Ben Shelton fell to a second successive ATP Finals loss, defeated by Felix Auger-Aliassime on Wednesday.
The American, who lost his opening round robin match to Alexander Zverev, was defeated 4-6, 7-6, 7-5 by Auger-Aliassime.
Despite the loss, Shelton has enjoyed the best season of his career on the ATP Tour, winning his first Masters 1000 title and breaking into the world’s top five.
The American won the Canadian Open in August, and following a period of injury, has returned to the court and achieved the status of American number one for the first time in his career.
However, during Shelton’s contest against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Wednesday, a concerning statistic emerged.
Ryan Harrison was shocked by Ben Shelton taking over an hour to hit an ace against Felix Auger-Aliassime
Ben Shelton, who is set to play at the 2026 Houston Open, possesses one of the most fearsome serves on the ATP Tour; a whip-like movement that is used to flatten out the shot or produce awesome kick serves.
Therefore, it may come as a surprise to read that Shelton took 70 minutes to hit an ace during his match against the Canadian.
The ace came while Shelton was leading 6-4, 4-4, 40-0.
Jonathan Overend, commentating for Sky Sports, said: “Seven aces to one now Ryan. I mean, how do you go an hour and 10 minutes in a Ben Shelton match without the young American hitting an ace? I don’t even know how that’s possible.”
Ryan Harrison, the former world number 40, added: “If you told me that was going to happen I would have never believed you.”
“This goes to what we were talking about earlier in the match with having the capacity to serve bigger, even bigger than he does.”
Shelton finished with seven aces against Auger-Aliassime. In his opening ATP Finals match against Alexander Zverev, Shelton also hit seven aces.
Ryan Harrison says Ben Shelton’s return ‘really lacks’
Ryan Harrison, who won one ATP Tour title at the 2017 Memphis Open, discussed Shelton’s return shot during the 22-year-old’s match against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Co-commentator Jonathan Overend asked Harrison: “How much improvement does Shelton need to make with his return game?”
Harrison, speaking on air for Sky Sports, said: “Well a lot of improvement, relative to his level and his world ranking. That’s a shot that really lacks.
“The thing that’s surprising, is sometimes the margin in which he makes the mistake, even on a second serve return or a first serve return that’s on the racket. It’s where you see guys at this level, even if they miss it, they put a good hit on it.
“And sometimes he [Shelton] has some mistakes that just kind of wow you on that shot.”
Shelton will face world number two Jannik Sinner in his final ATP Finals round robin match. A victory against Sinner is needed if Shelton wants to qualify for the semi-final stage.
Unfortunately for Shelton, history is not on his side: he has lost his last six matches against Sinner, last defeating the Italian at the 2023 Shanghai Masters.
