NEW YORK — Ben Shelton’s participation in his US Open third-round contest concluded prematurely on Friday due to a left shoulder ailment.
Shelton, the No. 6 seed and a two-time major semifinalist, ceased play after conceding the fourth set to Adrian Mannarino, necessitating a fifth set. The potential genesis of the injury occurred when he made contact with his left arm after chasing a ball in the corner on the concluding point to secure the third set.
However, early in the fourth set, the 2023 US Open semifinalist exhibited signs of discomfort, remarking to his coach’s box, “I seem to have hurt my shoulder. I’m not sure of the specifics.”
He underwent medical attention midway through the set, during which the trainer applied a topical cream to his left shoulder, and subsequently attempted to expedite points by consistently approaching the net. Nevertheless, following Mannarino’s victory in the set, Shelton was re-examined by the trainer and retired from the match, departing the court with a towel concealing his face and evident emotional distress.
Mannarino, a 37-year-old hailing from France, secured his inaugural triumph in 23 career encounters against top-10 players in Grand Slam competitions.
“When he began experiencing pain, he held a lead in the match,” Mannarino commented. “Frankly, it is probable that he would have emerged victorious in that match.”
Shelton was undoubtedly a significant favorite in the match, having accumulated a 14-2 record this summer on hard courts and securing the title in Toronto, where he decisively defeated Mannarino early in the tournament.
Shelton represented one of the foremost contenders to deliver the U.S. its first men’s major champion since Andy Roddick’s US Open victory in 2003. Another such contender, No. 17 seed Frances Tiafoe, who had advanced to the semifinals in Flushing Meadows in two of the preceding three years, was ousted with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7) defeat to German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff.
Shelton’s left-handed serve stands as one of the most potent in the realm of tennis, and his 140-mph ace in the first set equaled the third-fastest of this US Open.
He continued to unleash some formidable serves even after the injury, yet he repeatedly clutched at the shoulder either immediately following or even during points.
Bryan Shelton, his father and coach, advised the 22-year-old to advance towards the net, aiming to conclude points rapidly. Ben Shelton executed 13 serve-and-volley points in the fourth set, contrasting with only three in the initial three sets, and he was positioned at the net for a missed volley when Mannarino broke his serve for a 4-3 advantage in the fourth.
Shelton thwarted four set points in his subsequent service game before Mannarino maintained his serve to claim the set. Mannarino, ranked No. 77, temporarily left the court for a restroom break as Shelton sat on his bench, with his father gesturing with his arms, signaling his son to concede the match, which he ultimately did upon Mannarino’s return.
“I am 37 years of age,” Mannarino stated. “This marks the first occasion I have secured a match victory originating from the restroom.”
