Alexander Zverev has booked his place in the Cincinnati Open semi-finals after a comfortable win over Ben Shelton. The result didn’t come as much of a surprise, given how much tennis the American has played lately.
Shelton’s Masters 1000 title in Toronto was the biggest of his career so far, but he followed it up by heading straight to Cincinnati without taking any time off. By contrast, both women’s finalists chose to withdraw before the tournament began.
Ben Shelton spoke about his schedule after Alexander Zverev loss
After the defeat, Shelton spoke with reporters and said he had no regrets about playing back-to-back events despite feeling tired on court.
“I don’t think I would have changed anything,” he said. “I think that it was tough for me today physically because of what happened last week, but at the end of the day, if I could go back and do it all again, I would.”
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Shelton went on to say: “I think it was a great learning experience for me this week. It was tough out there today…
Alexander Zverev’s post-match message to Ben Shelton after Cincinnati win
Zverev won 6-2, 6-2 and didn’t lose a single service game, but even with the clean win, he still had some sympathy for his opponent.
Even with the one-sided scoreline, Zverev was quick to show respect. He approached Shelton at the net and offered an apology, recognising that the American wasn’t playing at full strength.
Understanding that Shelton wasn’t at his best, Zverev said: “I’m really sorry about that, I know you didn’t play your best. I hope you feel good at the US Open.”
Shelton has been on an impressive run through the North American hard court season and is expected to be back in top form for Flushing Meadows.
Earlier in the week, Karen Khachanov retired from his match due to fatigue as well.
Alexander Zverev has reached the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open after beating Ben Shelton
Alexander Zverev is into the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, having beaten Ben Shelton most recently to reach that stage.
The world number three picked up a comfortable win, though it wasn’t much of a surprise considering how much tennis the young American has played lately.
It was his first time winning a Masters 1000 event, and even more impressive because he did it in front of home fans.
But Shelton’s choice to jump straight into another tournament caught many off guard, especially since both finalists from the women’s side had already withdrawn before play began.
Shelton looked tired during his match against Zverev and admitted as much when they met at the net after the final point.
What Alexander Zverev said to Ben Shelton at the net after beating him
Zverev didn’t drop serve once in his 6-2, 6-2 win over Shelton. But despite how one-sided the scoreline looked, he still felt compelled to apologise when they met at the net.
Zverev acknowledged that Shelton wasn’t playing at full strength and told him: “I’m really sorry about that. I know you didn’t play your best. I hope you feel good at the US Open.”
Shelton is expected to be back in top form by then, having put together an impressive stretch on North American hard courts over recent months.
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Shelton’s rise has been notable, but Zverev has quietly worked his way into another Masters 1000 semi-final without much fanfare. Next up for him is Carlos Alcaraz—a matchup that could be telling for where he stands heading into Grand Slam season.
Zverev has reached three major finals without yet lifting a trophy and carries a reputation as perhaps the best player still searching for that breakthrough title. He hasn’t hidden how much it means to him either.
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