Ben Shelton’s upcoming challenge has pitted him against Novak Djokovic, the 36-year-old Serbian tennis powerhouse. This pivotal match, scheduled for Friday, holds the key to securing a spot in the finals of the competition. Djokovic recently achieved a remarkable milestone by earning his 47th Grand Slam semifinal berth, surpassing Roger Federer’s previous record. He cemented his place in the semifinals with an impressive victory over Taylor Fritz, prevailing with scores of 6-1, 6-4, and 6-4.

Who is Ben Shelton?

Ben Shelton, born on October 9th, 2002, hails from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a professional tennis player representing the United States. He boasts a tennis lineage, as his father, Bryan Shelton, not only had a career as a professional tennis player but also served as the coach for ‘Florida Gators men’s tennis.’ Additionally, his mother, Lisa Witsken Shelton, was a highly regarded junior tennis player in her own right.

In a remarkable turn of events, Ben Shelton managed to overcome a potentially precarious situation during the third-set tie-break, securing an unexpected victory over the 10th-seeded Frances Tiafoe. This impressive win marked Shelton as the youngest American to reach the US Open semi-finals in three decades, following a Tuesday night showdown at Flushing Meadows.

Also Read: Was Tom Brady’s mother, Galynn Patricia Brady a flight attendant?

His next formidable opponent on the horizon is none other than Novak Djokovic, who is poised to add another remarkable achievement to his already illustrious career. Djokovic is on the cusp of his 47th major semi-final appearance and has his sights set on reaching his 10th US Open final, with the prospect of clinching a fourth US Open title. These feats would further bolster his astonishing record of 23 Grand Slam titles.

Shelton’s arsenal of power-packed serves, most notably the two rockets clocking in at 149 mph during his victory over Tommy Paul in the fourth round, has certainly caught the attention of tennis enthusiasts. Despite being considered the underdog in his match against Tiafoe, he emerged victorious after a grueling four-set battle.

Shelton’s remarkable journey also positions him as the youngest American contender to reach the US Open quarter-finals since Andy Roddick’s impressive run in 2003. Notably, he holds the title of NCAA singles champion for 2022, underscoring his prowess in collegiate tennis. As of May 8th, 2023, Shelton has achieved an ATP singles ranking of No. 35, a testament to his rapid rise in the world of professional tennis. His meteoric ascent and recent victories have undoubtedly captured the imagination of tennis fans worldwide.

Also Read: Kyle Rudolph: Net worth, wife Jordan Nine, NFL, salary, age, career and more

Transitioning to the professional circuit just a year after his memorable victory in the NCAA men’s singles championship at Florida in 2022, Shelton made a resounding debut by reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January.

While he couldn’t quite replicate his initial Grand Slam breakthrough during the early and mid-season events, where he impressed by reaching the quarter-finals in his very first international outing, his significant progress came to the forefront at Flushing Meadows. Currently ranked at No. 19 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, Shelton is undeniably leaving his mark on the world of professional tennis.