Ben Shelton’s homecoming is what we were all waiting for! The American player who has struggled to reach the semifinals of an event following his ATP Houston victory in April is not having the best time currently. However, as Shelton makes a comeback at the Atlanta Open, the grass was supposed to be greener. But, sadly, lurking in the shadows is a familiar rival waiting for him. Can he overcome his potential opponent in the event?

Following a Wimbledon heartbreak at the hands of Jannik Sinner in the round of 16 match, Ben Shelton has turned his head to the upcoming tournament in Atlanta. But luck seems not to be in his favor at all! This is because waiting for him there is Shang Juncheng, a Chinese player with whom he has an old rivalry. While the American player was taking a short break post-Wimbledon, his opponent was gearing up to enter the Atlanta Open as a qualifier. And after sweeping past Liam Broady and J.J. Wolf in the initial qualifier rounds, he is getting ready to take down Andres Martin in the round of 32 on July 23rd!

And if he gets past him, the 19-year-old player will soon be hitting his racquet against the ATP Houston winner. Shelton might not be too eager to face him for the third time in his career, especially after his past two defeats against Juncheng. Both were during last year, the first one in Washington, where Shang comfortably won against Ben Shelton by 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. “I’m definitely very happy right now. Ben is not an easy player to beat. I think I’ve got a game that kind of suits me to playing him,” Shang said after defeating Shelton.

But that was only the first time! The other one was on the tennis courts of Atlanta itself! It was in the Round of 32 match that Juncheng won with grace, overpowering his opponent by 6-4, 6-4. Now that the same situation arises once again in Atlanta this year, a clash between the duo will once again put their rivalry to the test while we watch Shelton try to win his first match against the Chinese player.

Moreover, the grass courts of tennis have not been treating him right for a long time now. However, he is hopeful to learn and improve his skills, as he himself revealed earlier.

Ben Shelton speaks on his potential to improve on the grass

Last year at Wimbledon, Ben Shelton couldn’t get past the second round of the event, despite his love for the grass and the tournament. But before embarking on his journey this year at the All England Tennis Club, he shared his candid reflections on the subject. “There are many things to learn on grass. I started playing on this surface late in my tennis development. There are many things to learn related to movement, style of play; things that I am learning day by day. 

Furthermore, the American player added, “It is a surface where I could do very well and achieve great success, but I haven’t done anything yet.” However, his performance in London further raised eyebrows in the tennis community. Last year, it was Serbian Laslo Djere who halted him from moving forward to win his first Grand Slam, and this year, it was the World No. 1 who did the same. Now, as he begins his journey in Atlanta, let’s hope Shang Juncheng doesn’t pose a big obstacle to his game!