With the new coaching rule that’s implemented on both the tours, fans, and tennis enthusiasts get to see players not just getting advice and executing it but also finding success because of it. Ben Shelton, the youngest American to reach the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters since 2017, is currently locked in a battle against Alexander Zverev on Center Court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. With the pressure mounting, Shelton found crucial support from his coach and father, Bryan Shelton.

The young American seized the first set, but Zverev quickly leveled the match. Noticing a lack of powerful returns from the German’s backhand, Shelton Sr. advised his son to exploit the Zverev’s weakness. This, in turn, helped him navigate through troubles and retain a 5-5 score to force an extension, wherein he stands a better chance at closing the set.

There is a lot at stake for the young American in this match at Cincinnati. If he survives against Alexander Zverev, he will become the top-ranked American tennis player heading into the US Open, which is a huge morale boost. Also, he will be the youngest American to reach the semis in Masters 1000 events since Andy Roddick.

On the other, Zverev is looking for a big win to get his momentum back just in time for this year’s final slam. Despite making it to the quarters and semis consistently, the German’s ATP season so far has been a disappointment and he will give it his all to try and alter that. It’s an evenly poised match at the moment both the ATP stars equaling 3-3 in the deciding third set.

Just when the match got really intriguing, the rain decided to show up twice, once at 3-4 and once at 4-5, with Zverev serving. The German must be thanking the gods for this break. “It was very difficult in the windy conditions when you don’t have any rhythm, and when someone’s serving like he does, it’s really tough to get into the games,” Zverev said. “The first set and a half I had no idea what I was doing…”

Zverev squandered seven break point opportunities before finally breaking Shelton at 5-all in the deciding set, following the second rain delay. Serving for the match, he faced a break point after double-faulting twice but managed to hold on for the win.

Fresh update as of August 18: Facing a hostile crowd and relentless pressure from Shelton, Zverev emerged victorious at the Cincinnati Open. The German’s 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 win, punctuated by multiple rain delays, secured his spot in the semi-finals for the third year in a row.

Despite Shelton’s ability to disrupt Zverev’s rhythm with off-pace forehand shots, the American’s higher unforced error count of 39 compared to Zverev’s 30 proved to be the decisive factor in the challenging conditions. Meanwhile, Shelton has garnered massive support at the hardcourt event. So much so that the young talent is effortlessly converting his rivals’ supporters into doing his bidding instead!

Ben Shelton finds his newest fan with a kind gesture

It is no surprise that spectators have been endlessly cheering for Ben Shelton all week at Cincinnati. After all, he is the home favorite. Now, he has decorated his long list of admirers with a young fan. While performing against Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round, Gabriel Green, a young boy, was seen cheering loudly for the Argentine. However, the 25-year-old’s loss disappointed Green.

After the match, the American crossed paths with the youngster, where he chatted with him and later gave away his headband. During Shelton’s next showdown against Fabian Marozsan, Green was spotted courtside once again, only this time, he wore the No. 12 seed’s headband and loudly exhibited his support for him. In realization of acquiring his newest fan, Shelton later reserved a few words to voice the candid conversation he had with the young boy.

He said, “I was playing his guy Etcheverry. Heard him the whole match and after the match, he looked pretty upset and I went up to him and said, ‘I have a lot of respect for your cheering because when I was a little kid and watching my dad’s teams college matches, that was me. Gave him a headband and I gained a fan yesterday, so maybe we will see him out here one day.”

Although Shelton couldn’t surf through the German’s challenge in the event’s QF, he surely gained a supporter in Gabriel Green!