US Next Gen Ben Shelton beat world number 54 Mackenzie McDonald 7-5 6-4 in 99 minutes to advance to the second round at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.
Shelton converted five of his six break points and won four consecutive games from 2-4 down in the second set to seal the second set 6-4.
“I thought that this was definitely a good start to the tournament for me. I think that did some things well, some things I could have done better, and over the next couple of days I am going to hope to improve on those things and sharpen my game. I am happy with the way that I competed today, and obviously playing on a clay court, thing are going to happen. There is a more back and forth and things can get tricky, so I am happy with how tough I was mentally today and my competitive spirit”, said Shelton.
Shelton set up a second round match against last year’s Roland Garros and US Open finalist Casper Ruud, who won nine ATP Tour titles. The US player beat Ruud 6-3 6-3 in Cincinnati last year.
“Different surface, different circumstances. I don’t think he had any idea who I was the last time I played him, and I know he knows me. I assume that he will be more prepared for some of my things I am going to throw at him and I am really excited for that matchup”, said Shelton.
Emil Ruusuvuori cruised past Alexander Bublik 6-0 6-3 in 56 minutes setting up a second round match against Frances Tiafoe.
Bernabe Zapata Miralles beat Attila Balazs 6-2 6-2 to set up an all-Spanish second round match against Roberto Bautista Agut.
Nuno Borges defeated Ilya Ivashka 6-2 6-3 earning a second round match against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry edged 2015 Barcelona finalist Pablo Andujar 6-2 7-5 to reach the second round, where he will face 2022 Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
