In the heat of his thrilling Shanghai Masters quarterfinal match against Sebastian Korda, Ben Shelton found himself in an unusual situation. At a critical juncture in the final third set, with the score standing at 3-4 in favor of Sebastian Korda, Ben Shelton was making headway, leading 0-30 on Korda’ serve trying to break back and equalize the set score.
However, as he prepared to deliver his forehand, an unexpected twist saw his racket’s frame making unintended contact with his head while in its swing path. The impact was visibly painful, and Shelton found himself squatting on the court in discomfort, while his father and coach, Bryan, looked on with concern.
The essence of the unexpected incident was captured by The Tennis Letter, when it remarked, “Ouch. That Rafa Nadal forehand follow-through can be tricky.” But Shelton, determined and undeterred, chose to march on, refusing medical assistance and even joked with the chair umpire about a lump forming on his head.
Ben Shelton hit his head with his racquet when he finished hitting his forehand.
Ouch. 🤕
That Rafa Nadal forehand follow-through can be tricky.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 12, 2023
With a laugh, he declined an ice pack from the physio and continued to fight on. In a remarkable turn of events, Shelton rebounded from the one-game deficit, breaking Korda’s serve to level the match at 4-4. Despite the painful incident, Shelton continued to battle on the court showing his tenacity and resilience.
Clash of two American stars – Ben Shelton vs. Sebastian Korda at Shanghai Masters
In a closely contested all-American quarterfinal match at the Shanghai Masters, Ben Shelton faced off against Sebastian Korda. The match was a rollercoaster of twists and turns, with both players displaying remarkable determination and skill. The score fluctuated as each player strived for an advantage, ultimately culminating in a thrilling final set tiebreak after they had split the first two sets.
Korda, with a 6-1 lead in the tiebreak and five match points in hand, seemed poised for victory. However, Shelton refused to back down, mounting a spirited comeback to level the score at 6-6. The battle continued as both players fought tooth and nail, and Korda managed to secure a hard-fought victory with a score of 6-7(1), 6-2, 7-6(6) after nearly three hours of intense play.
23yo Sebastian Korda avoids a big choke in the end and beats 21yo Ben Shelton 6-7(10), 6-2, 7-6(6) to reach in Shanghai the biggest semifinal of his career. Great match!
Gets Hubi Hurkacz on saturday — beat him earlier this year at the AusOpen. pic.twitter.com/fXPJnt5pbT
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 12, 2023
The match’s high stakes and dramatic turns highlighted the competitive nature and contrasting game styles of the two Americans. While Korda’s game revolved around court craft and skill, Shelton relied on his speed and power game, both players pushing their limits to the maximum. Korda’s win secured him a spot in his first Masters semifinal appearance. Watch the camaraderie between these two players after the match is over.