Basel
Shelton snaps Phils' ATP 500 streak, reaches Basel final
America will play Rune or Coach Perricard for the ATP 500 trophy
October 26, 2024
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
Ben Shelton defeats Arthur Fils on Saturday in Switzerland Indoor Basel.
By ATP staff
Ben Shelton's hitting proved a key ingredient in ending an impressive ATP Tour opener on Saturday at Swiss Indoors Basel.
The sixth-seeded American defeated Arthur Fils 6-3, 7-6(9) in a hard-fought 78-minute match to end Fils' 13-match ATP 500s win. Shelton did not face a break point and won 88 percent (45/51) of points after his first serve against Fils, according to Infosys ATP Stats, but still had to rally from 3/6 in the second game-break before completing the win home.
“I did a really good job today, and I had to do that because I know what Arthur can do when he touches the ball,” Shelton said in his on-court interview. “The goal was to let him know that I scored clean goals as much as possible, and I did very well. He served well [too]so there weren't many long points. It's a very good game, and I'm not sure how I got out of the second round.”
Now in his second ATP 500 final after his 2023 title in Tokyo, Shelton will play either Holger Rune or fourth-seeded Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Sunday's final in Basel.
⭐️ PERFECTION FROM BIG BEN ⭐️@BenShelton defeats his best friend Fils 6-3 7-6(9) to reach the final in Basel!!!#SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/sjVteMObn3
– ATP Tour (@atptour) October 26, 2024
Saturday's match was the second Lexus ATP Head2Head in less than a month between Shelton and Fils, after the Frenchman cruised to a quarter-final tiebreak en route to the title in Tokyo. Although the two are good friends off the court and are competing together in doubles in Basel this week, Shelton admitted he had extra motivation to win in the semifinals.
“I think it's always difficult to play friends, but maybe it was easier for me because he beat me in Tokyo and I wanted revenge,” he said. “He got the title that week, so hopefully I can add that title this week.”
Now 41-23 on the season, the 22-year-old Shelton reaffirmed his return to the Top 20 of the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday with his run in Basel. He has climbed to No. 19 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings so far this week, and will move up to No. 18 when he lifts the trophy on Sunday.
