By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday May 26, 2025
Ben Shelton has always prided himself on his physicality. On Sunday night he used said physicality to win his first ever five-setter on clay at Roland-Garros.
Playing in the first night session of this year’s French Open, Shelton got past Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, to reach the second round at Roland-Garros for the second consecutive year.
The match was a rematch of this year’s Australian Open quarterfinal, also won by Shelton.
Shelton rallied from two sets to one down, using his forehand to great effect as he wore down Sonego.
He cranked 20 forehand winners, 12 of them coming in the final two sets.
The American southpaw, ranked 13, is now 7-3 lifetime in three setters.
Tommy Paul, Reilly Opelka, Emilio Nava, Frances Tiafoe and Jenson Brooksby also advanced for the American men on Day 1 in Paris.
