Tennis

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Ben Shelton, two rising stars in the tennis world, will face off in a highly anticipated clash at Roland Garros on Friday, May 31. This will be the first encounter between these two talented players, and it promises to be a thrilling battle on the clay courts of Paris.Auger-Aliassime, ranked 21st in the world, has proven his prowess on clay, reaching the final of the Madrid Open earlier this month. His powerful serve and solid baseline game make him a formidable opponent on any surface, but he is particularly dangerous on the slower clay courts.Shelton, ranked 15th in the world, has also shown impressive form on clay, winning the Houston Open in April. However, the American is still adapting to the different conditions in Europe, where the clay is slower and heavier. His return game, in particular, needs improvement, as he has struggled to break serve consistently on clay.Despite Shelton's challenges, he remains a dangerous opponent with a big serve and powerful groundstrokes. He will need to find a way to neutralize Auger-Aliassime's serve and create break-point opportunities if he wants to pull off an upset.Auger-Aliassime, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on his experience and consistency on clay. He has a strong track record on the surface, with two Challenger-level titles and several deep runs in ATP tournaments.Overall, Auger-Aliassime is the slight favorite in this matchup. His experience on clay and his superior return game give him an edge over Shelton. However, Shelton is a rising star with a lot of potential, and he could certainly surprise if he can find his rhythm on the clay courts of Roland Garros.

Coco Gauff vs. Dayana Yastremska: A Clash of Styles on ClayCoco Gauff, the No. 3 seed and former Roland Garros finalist, will face off against Dayana Yastremska in the third round of the French Open. The match promises to be a captivating clash of styles, with Gauff's consistency and precision pitted against Yastremska's power and risk-taking.Yastremska has shown glimpses of brilliance in 2024, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open. However, her form has been inconsistent since then, and she has struggled to find her rhythm on clay. Despite her recent struggles, Yastremska remains a dangerous opponent, capable of producing stunning shots when her game is on point.Gauff, on the other hand, has been in impressive form this year. She has won two titles and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. Her all-court game and ability to control the pace of play make her a formidable opponent on any surface.The key to the match will likely lie in Yastremska's ability to find her range and dictate the rallies. If she can consistently hit her big shots and force Gauff to defend, she has a chance to upset the American. However, Gauff's consistency and ability to neutralize Yastremska's power will be crucial in determining the outcome.Ben Shelton vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime: A Battle of Power on Court 14Ben Shelton and Felix Auger-Aliassime will square off in a highly anticipated first-round encounter on Court 14. Both players have shown a liking for clay this season, with Shelton winning a title in Houston and Auger-Aliassime reaching the final in Madrid.Shelton relies heavily on his serve and powerful groundstrokes to overpower opponents. Auger-Aliassime, known for his all-court game and aggressive style, will look to use his superior experience and shot-making ability to counter Shelton's power.The match is likely to be decided by a few key points. Shelton will need to serve well and avoid making unforced errors, while Auger-Aliassime will need to find a way to break down Shelton's defense and create opportunities for himself.Carlos Alcaraz vs. Sebastian Korda: A Test of Resilience and AmbitionCarlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1 and reigning US Open champion, will face Sebastian Korda in a highly anticipated night match on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The match will be a test of resilience and ambition for both players.Alcaraz has been nursing a right forearm injury, but he has shown no signs of slowing down. He has won two titles this year and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. Korda, on the other hand, has struggled to find consistency in recent months. However, he has a history of playing well on big stages and will be eager to prove himself against the world's best.The match will likely be decided by Alcaraz's ability to manage his injury and maintain his high level of play. Korda will need to play aggressively and take risks to create opportunities for himself.

Ben Shelton, the rising American tennis star, has embraced the unique atmosphere of Roland Garros, where he recently triumphed over Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the first round. Despite the partisan crowd cheering for Gaston, Shelton relished the experience, describing it as "pretty special."Shelton's love for clay courts and European tennis culture is a departure from the traditional American aversion to the surface. He believes in adapting to the nuances of clay rather than resisting it. This mindset has led to solid results on clay, including a title in Houston and a 3-3 record on traditional red clay.Shelton's success on clay is not solely attributed to his physical attributes but also to his positive attitude. He thrives on the energy and atmosphere of clay-court events, even when the crowd is against him. This resilience stems from his experience playing in front of boisterous and hostile fans during his collegiate career at the University of Florida.Shelton's journey on clay is a testament to the changing attitudes of American players towards the surface. Inspired by the success of Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Sebi Korda, younger players like Shelton are embracing the challenges and rewards of clay-court tennis.

Ben Shelton's Roland Garros debut was a nostalgic experience for the American, who felt the familiar atmosphere of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the Parisian crowd. Despite playing against a French opponent, Hugo Gaston, on Court 14, Shelton drew inspiration from the passionate support, which reminded him of his days competing in the Florida-Georgia rivalry."Obviously, he had the home field advantage, but I felt some love out there," Shelton said after his 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory. "The partisan atmosphere only added to the excitement."Shelton's connection to the SEC runs deep. He played for the University of Florida, where he helped the team win the 2021 NCAA Championship and claimed the 2022 NCAA Singles Championship. His father, Bryan Shelton, coached the team and is now back on his son's coaching staff alongside Dean Goldfine."I think playing at Georgia is comparable," Shelton said, referring to the rowdy atmosphere. "Not because of the noise, but because of the very nasty, choice words that people say to you in the stands."Shelton's college experience has shaped his approach to professional tennis. He has carried the lessons learned on and off the court into his ATP career, where he has already won two titles, including the Houston clay-court event earlier this year.In the second round of Roland Garros, Shelton will face Kei Nishikori, a former world No. 4 who has overcome injuries to return to Grand Slam competition. Nishikori defeated Gabriel Diallo, a former University of Kentucky player, in a five-set thriller.Shelton's journey at Roland Garros is a testament to his resilience and the influence of his college tennis roots. The American is embracing the challenge of playing on the biggest stage, drawing on the lessons and experiences that have shaped his career.

Ben Shelton's Roland Garros preparations suffered a setback as he bowed out of the Gonet Geneva Open in the second round, succumbing to a 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2 defeat against Flavio Cobolli.Shelton, seeded fourth, had hoped to build on his impressive clay-court form this season, which included a title in Houston and third-round appearances in Madrid and Rome. However, Cobolli, ranked 22nd, proved too strong, rallying from a set and a break down to secure his third ATP quarterfinal of the year.The American started brightly, breaking Cobolli's serve in the opening set and serving it out comfortably. He carried that momentum into the second set, breaking again and taking a 4-2 lead. But Cobolli refused to be deterred, breaking back in the eighth game and forcing a tiebreaker.In a stunning reversal, Cobolli dominated the tiebreaker, winning it 7-1 and leveling the match. The Italian continued to grow in confidence in the third set, breaking Shelton's serve twice and consolidating his lead with strong serving.Shelton, who had been serving and volleying effectively throughout the match, retreated to the baseline as the match reached its critical phase. Cobolli took full advantage, breaking Shelton's serve again and serving out the match with an ace.Cobolli's victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko, who advanced via walkover. Shelton, meanwhile, will have to regroup and refocus his preparations for Roland Garros, which begins on May 28.

The BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells is set to witness a thrilling clash between rising American star Ben Shelton and Italian sensation Jannik Sinner. Shelton, who stunned Sinner in the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters last year, will be looking to repeat his victory and end Sinner's impressive 17-match winning streak.Despite Shelton's previous triumph, Sinner remains the heavy favorite. The Italian has been in imperious form this season, winning titles in Montpellier and Rotterdam. His all-court game and relentless intensity make him a formidable opponent.Another intriguing matchup pits Alexander Zverev against Alex de Minaur. De Minaur has enjoyed a breakout season, breaking into the Top 10 and winning a title with his girlfriend, Katie Boulter. However, Zverev has a 6-2 head-to-head record against the Australian and will be eager to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with after his return from injury.In the women's draw, two fan favorites, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki, will face off for the 16th time. Both players are former world No. 1s and have returned to the tour after becoming mothers. While they are no longer ranked among the top players, their competitive spirit and crowd-pleasing style promise an entertaining match.

On Unveils Tennis-Specific Collection, Bringing Swiatek and Shelton's Kits to FansSwiss sportswear giant On is set to release its first tennis-specific collection in April, marking a significant milestone in its growing presence in the sport. The collection, developed in collaboration with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and rising American star Ben Shelton, combines cutting-edge materials with thoughtful design to provide athletes with unparalleled comfort and freedom of movement.On's entry into the tennis world began a year ago with the signing of Swiatek and Shelton to head-to-toe deals. Since then, the players have provided valuable feedback to the brand, shaping the development of the new collection.The comprehensive collection includes 17 pieces of apparel and footwear, designed to transition seamlessly from on-court to off-court. From Shelton's pink-accented tank top to Swiatek's signature two-piece match outfits, the collection emphasizes sleek, modern designs that make a statement."The design and advanced technology not only enhance my comfort during matches but also empower me to perform at my best while feeling confident," said Swiatek.The collection will debut in Europe on April 1, 2024, and will be available online at On.com and in stores in North America on April 5.In addition to the tennis collection, On has also released THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro, its first on-court model designed for casual but competitive tennis players. The shoe combines the performance features of THE ROGER Pro with the heritage style of other "Roger" models."Tennis, padel, or even, dare I say it, pickleball," said Federer, describing the versatility of the Clubhouse Pro.THE ROGER Clubhouse Pro is now available at On.com and in stores and sports retailers worldwide.

As the Sunshine Swing approaches, the tennis world eagerly anticipates the performances of American players at Indian Wells and Miami. With Coco Gauff leading the charge, expectations are high for a strong showing from the home crowd favorites.Gauff, the highest-ranked American, has been in impressive form, winning titles in D.C., Cincinnati, and New York last year. While she has yet to replicate that success in Indian Wells or Miami, her consistent motivation and strong results in 2023 suggest she is poised for a breakthrough.Ben Shelton, the 21-year-old sensation, has also raised expectations after his impressive run at the US Open. His powerful serve and aggressive style make him a potential title contender at both tournaments.Danielle Collins, who has announced her retirement at the end of the season, is determined to go out with a bang. Her recent performances, including a three-set battle against Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open, indicate that she is a dangerous floater who could upset the established order.Tommy Paul, known for his maturity and versatility, is another American to watch. His ability to adapt his game in real time makes him a formidable opponent.Jessica Pegula, who has reached six Grand Slam quarterfinals but failed to advance, will be looking to take the next step in her career with a new coaching team. The Sunshine Swing will be a crucial test for her partnership with Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein.Sebastian Korda, who missed last year's events due to injury, will be eager to make an impact this time around. His aggressive style and Florida roots could give him an edge in Miami.Frances Tiafoe, despite mixed results after a coaching change, remains a threat with his powerful serve and athleticism. Taylor Fritz, the 2022 Indian Wells champion, will be looking to continue his strong record in the Sunshine Double.With a talented and motivated group of American players, the Sunshine Swing promises to be an exciting showcase of the future of U.S. tennis.