Ben Shelton withstood 19 aces off the racquet of Reilly Opelka on Tuesday to advance into the second round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters.
The American son of a former ATP pro trained with his father Bryan in practice to try and get the hang of the Opelka delivery.
Shelton called the contest a “bot v bot” battle as he won 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3).
Opelka, is back on the Tour after two years of injury drama and has yet to reach top form.
“It’s hard to replicate the angle of Reilly’s serve and how high it bounces,” Shelton said.
“I’ve never seen a ball (from Opelka) come at me like that. Some of the serves he hits defy physics.
“But it’s good to see him coming back, even if he’s not at 100 per cent yet. I’m pleased with how I was able to finish.”
Shelton advanced on his second of four match points with a leaping return winner
Others advancing at the last big event prior to the US Open from August 26 were Wimbledon semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti, a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) winner over Nicolas Jarry.
American Alex Michelsen beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. while China’s “Treble Zed” Zhang Zhizhen advanced along with American Frances Tiafoe.
