The Ben Shelton express continues to gather pace. The reigning Toronto champion was made to wait these past few days, with weather delaying his round of 32 clash with Roberto Bautista Agut.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Cincinnati Open
Linder Family Tennis Centre, Cincinnati, Ohio (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 16 and Quarterfinal Matches- 14th-15th August
14th August- Round of 16
Ben Shelton (5) 0.66 vs Jiri Lehecka (22) 1.19
The Ben Shelton express continues to gather pace. The reigning Toronto champion was made to wait these past few days, with weather delaying his round of 32 clash with Roberto Bautista Agut. He did look a little rusty in the opening salvos of the match, saving three break-points in his opening service game. But he grew into the first set and went on to dominate the tiebreak. Rain then forced the pair off the court with Shelton leading 2-1 in the 2nd, Shelton returned to action with a far more aggressive approach, ultimately seeing off the veteran Spaniard 7-6, 6-3. He ended the match with 16 aces and 12 forehand winners (a typical Shelton spread). He has extended his current winning streak to eight matches, improving to 11-1 for this entire North American hardcourt swing. The former US Open semifinalist is now 28-1 this season when winning the first set! It looks as if that Toronto victory has given him even more self-belief (a trait that he wasn’t exactly lacking). He has added more dimension to his game this year and is looking like a real threat for this year’s US Open crown.
Jiri Lehecka must feel like he took the week off. By the time this match starts, Lehecka would have spent nearly three days off court (such are the vagaries of rain-interrupted tennis). Will he benefit from hiatus or will he come out cold? Lehecka started the fortnight in unconvincing fashion, coming back from a set down against Tristan Boyer. He looked more assured in his round of 16 clash with Aussie Walton, winning a high-quality match 7-6, 7-6. He was statistically immense in the match, firing 42 winners to just 24 unforced errors. He was monstrous on serve, bombing 17 aces while winning 90% of his first-serve points. Lehecka started the year well, going 11-4 in his first four events. But he struggled with consistency from that point on, with one bright spot coming with a runner-up finish at Queen’s. However, the big-serving Czech appears to have found some form and could put Shelton’s unbeaten run to the test.
The Verdict: Shelton to win in three sets at 2.85- Shelton leads the head-to-head 1-0, winning in straight sets at this year’s BOSS Open. This is going to be a cracker. Lehecka is serving as well as Shelton and I can see him pushing the American to three sets. However, the Czech is prone to bouts of inconsistency and does tend to wilt in the most high-pressure moments.
15th August- Quarterfinal
Holger Rune (7) 0.27 vs Terence Atmane 2.65
This should be an interesting clash, with mercurial Holger Rune coming up against giant-killing qualifier Terence Atmane. Norwegian firebrand Holger Rune saw off Frances Tiafoe in their round of 16 clash, with the American retiring midway through the 2nd set due to back spasms. It was a measure of revenge for the Norwegian after falling to the American in the semifinals last year. He was in complete control against the visibly-ailing Tiafoe, winning 90% of first-serve points and hitting 24 winners to 18 unforced errors. Rune has enjoyed a real roller-coaster of a season. He has enjoyed some tremendous highs, reaching the Indian Wells final while winning a maiden ATP 500 title in Barcelona. But he has struggled to maintain consistency, with a lingering knee injury- among other physical issues- preventing him from realizing his goals. He has struggled against elite players in recent months (his win over Tiafoe was his first victory against a top 20 player since toppling Alcaraz in the Barcelona final).
World No.136 Terence Atmane just pulled off the upset of the tournament, coming back from a set down to take down US Open contender Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. The lefty served brilliantly throughout, firing 13 aces and winning 82% of his first-serve points. He generated plenty of power and topspin on that forehand wing, pegging Fritz back with some humongous groundstrokes. Where did this come from? Atmane started the season rather poorly, going through a stretch where he lost six of seven matches between February and April. But he then went on to win back-to-back hardcourt challengers, giving us all a glimpse of his obvious potential. But nothing could have prepared us for this. Atmane came into this event with a tour-level record of 1-4 for the season. But he seems to have found a new lease on life on these slick Cincinnati surfaces. He never dropped a set in qualifying and would only drop one against the combined trio of Nishioka, Cobolli and Fonesca. He is riding high on life and won’t fear anything as he gears up for his maiden Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
The Verdict: Rune to win in straight sets at 0.79- This will be their first career meeting. I wish that Atmane’s romantic run could continue. I just think he is going to struggle against Rune’s greater variety and physical endurance. Fritz looked laboured in the closing stages against Atmane and the Frenchman exploited the opportunity. Rune- when fit- is one of the best hustlers on tour.
