Ben Shelton Advances In Indian Wells | ATP Tour | Tennis

Ben Shelton bought his breakthrough season again on observe Thursday when he earned victory on his BNP Paribas Open debut.

The #NextGenATP American loved a dream run to the quarter-finals on the Australian Open in January, however suffered first-round defeats in Delray Beach and Acapulco final month. However, the 20-year-old ensured his dip in type wouldn’t flip right into a stoop, defeating Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-1 to succeed in the second spherical in Indian Wells.

In a ruthless show, the lefty confirmed house followers a glimpse of his potential, whipping an array of forehand winners previous the Italian to earn victory of their first ATP Head2Head assembly after one hour and 11 minutes.

The American hugged the baseline to dictate and was robust on return, hitting with precision to interrupt thrice.

Shelton, who reached the third spherical on his ATP Masters 1000 debut in Cincinnati final season, is up two spots to No. 39 within the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. The 20-year-old was exterior the Top 500 one yr in the past.

The American will face 2022 champion Taylor Fritz in what is ready to be a popcorn second-round conflict within the Californian desert on Saturday.