Shelton Eliminated in Cincinnati Second Round, Djokovic Remains Fifth in ATP Rankings
Ben Shelton defeated in Masters second round by world No. 79, paving the way for Novak Djokovic to hold onto fifth place in the ATP rankings ahead of the US Open.
Ben Shelton defeated in Masters second round by world No. 79, paving the way for Novak Djokovic to hold onto fifth place in the ATP rankings ahead of the US Open.
A major shock occurred at the Masters tournament in Cincinnati, where world No. 6 Ben Shelton was eliminated already in the second round. The American was defeated 2-0 in sets (6:4, 6:4) by Portugal's Jaime Faria, currently ranked 79th on the ATP list.
The match lasted an hour and 50 minutes, with Faria securing one break in each set to claim the biggest victory of his career. Shelton arrived in Cincinnati as the sixth seed and recent winner of the Masters in Montreal, where he defended his title and captured his second Masters trophy in Canada.
This result is particularly pleasing for Novak Djokovic, who himself experienced a shocking exit in Cincinnati. The Serb, in his first match since Wimbledon, lost to Argentina's Thiago Agustín Tirante 2:6, 6:4, 6:4, struggling with physical issues due to heat and humidity.
After winning in Canada, Shelton had put significant pressure on Djokovic in the rankings, but his early exit in Cincinnati means he missed the chance to overtake the Serb. Last year, the American reached the quarterfinals in Cincinnati, so he now loses 190 points, which will see him drop to eighth place, while Djokovic remains fifth.
The main favorite to win this Masters tournament, Germany's Alexander Zverev, advanced to the round of 16 after a tough battle with Britain's Cameron Norrie. Zverev won 2-1 in sets and now faces France's Atmane.
American Frances Tiafoe also secured a victory, defeating Italy's Lorenzo Sonego 2-0 in sets.
