By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, October 22, 2023
Ben Shelton won nine of the last 10 games powering past Aslan Karatsev 7-5, 6-1 in the Tokyo final to capture his maiden ATP title.
Photo credit: Japan Open Facebook
Sunday finals are tennis proving grounds.
Contesting his first ATP title match, Ben Shelton stamped major affirmation.
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An energized Shelton did not drop serve, powering past Aslan Karatsev 7-5, 6-1 in the Tokyo final to capture his maiden ATP title at the Japan Open.
The 21-year-old Shelton is the youngest man to lift the Tokyo title since a 20-year-old Lleyton Hewitt in 2001.
US Open semifinalist Shelton is the first man to win a maiden ATP title at the 500 level since Lorenzo Musetti won Hamburg in 2022.
Shelton showed closing power streaking through nine of the last 10 games to wrap a one hour, 22-minute conquest.
"That meant a lot to me and my team," Shelton said. "We have been working really hard since the beginning to build my game and win titles on the ATP Tour. I made some deep runs lately.
“You see the great champions, they finish weeks off. They win titles, they don't just get to finals. They are able to maintain their level throughout the week. I am not saying I am anywhere there yet, but to be able to do it for one week, put together five matches in a row in Tokyo is really special." The 2021 Australian Open semifinalist Karatsev held at 15 for a 5-4 lead.
Prowling the baseline, Shelton was taking the ball early and banging drives into the corners as he held at love to level then broke at 30 for 6-5. Shelton served out the opening set at 30.
Down a set and 2-5 in Saturday’s semifinals, Shelton stormed past compatriot Marcos Giron 6-7(2), 7-6(5), 6-4 in an all-American Tokyo semifinal to reach his first career final at the Japan Open.
Holding a one-set lead in today’s final, Shelton did not shrink from the finish line.
The explosive left-hander broke for a 2-1 second-set lead and never looked back charging through six straight games to seal his maiden championship.
Shelton scored his 14th win in his last 16 matches to vault to No. 14 in the live rankings.
Prior to his inspired run to the Australian Open quarterfinals last January, Shelton had never left the United States.
Now, Shelton follows Taylor Fritz as the second consecutive American to raise the Tokyo title denying Karatsev his first ATP championship since 2022 Sydney when he topped Andy Murray in the final.
"I'm someone who loves to play in front of a crowd," Shelton said. "So this week's been very special for me, being able to play on the center court in front of all you guys. I'm always trying my best to win when I'm out here on the court. Also, I try to be entertaining at times and hopefully make you laugh or smile and give you something to smile about when you're leaving the stadium.
"So I hope you guys enjoyed this week and I know I really appreciate you."