Ben Shelton vs. Frances Tiafoe Full Match | 2024 US Open Round 3

[Music] power [Music] [Music] New York please welcome the players for our next match [Music] from the United States Francis [Applause] [Music] [Applause] tifo and also from the United States Ben Shelton he [Music] the chair umpire for this third round match is James Kong from Great Britain ability to [Music] [Music] hey Ben how's it go this is sky sky Ben Francis this is sky sky Francis before we start can we have a photo with sky in the middle facing cameraman here and then over here afterwards thank you and what one more this way please fris okay gentlemen the same forat as your last match um any preference on tailbox red or white you go white you go red all right Francis okay we've got heads or tails anyone to call okay do you want to touch that sky high in the sky tails is gor and it is Tails serve re receive receive okay great match great mat good afternoon and welcome back to Arthur rash stadium for match number two here on the card and what a prospect it is as well an American Derby to look forward to between two good friends and two of course who squared off here in a fine contest 12 months ago Ben Shelton will take on Francis tiao Nick lestro alongside Jim cuier with Rob Cony Courtside afternoon to you Jim how you doing I'm doing great Nick I am uh I'm fired up for this rematch not only from last year's US Open but also from the finals in Houston this year Shelton getting the edge both times so got have a little revenge on your mind today if you're Francis tifo and it's a glorious day for tennis it really is it might be Breezy outside of Arthur Ash Stadium but you can see the flag is is listing isn't it it's not too windy on court side and well that's one of the advantages we have with this threers booth is we can get a report down there from our very own Rob conic Rob what's going on down there buddy I tell you what gentlemen uh the energy in the a is palpable both guys getting a rousing reception Jim I think it's going to be fascinating to see if the crowd picks one side or the other but I got a sneaky feeling they want to see a long uous match and whoever's in the lead is going to have to fight the crowd cuz I think the other guy who's losing is going to get the support because they want to see this one Go the Distance May well be right Rob as we take a closer look at Ben Shelton 21 years of age developing on track in terms of where you feel he should be Jim at this stage of his career given really how relatively new he still on the tour yeah this this is his second season on tour as a full-time player burst into our Consciousness in 2023 in Australia when he ran rough shot into the quarterfinals and then it was an adjustment period between then and the US Open last year where he was finally able to win back-to-back matches after not having done that since Australia but made a great run into the semi-finals before Novak jokovic put him out to pasture but he has continued this year to improve lots of elements in his game and he's been far more consistent Nick this year that's a big big jump up for him and he's seen his ranking climb as a result consistency wasn't necessarily the thing for Francis TFO in the first half of this year was it he was struggling by his own admission but the good news is that he he seems to have found his mojo back o over the last I guess month or so coming to DC obviously is a big for him isn't we know that's obviously Hometown for him and seem to get something going there he he was one of the players and there are many who CH who chose to bypass the Olympic Games and focus on the hardcourts of the United States and that's where Francis really he thrives the two most important tournaments to him are this tournament and his home Tournament of Washington DC I think he really made a pivot uh that was necessary uh in his mind at Wimbledon actually he was down two sets to love in the first round he' been on a a bad patch as you mentioned and and he just dug his toes in dug his heels in and really put his heart and soul into that match turning it around and eventually losing a tough five Setter to Carlos alarz in Wimbledon that I think reestablished some belief that was definitely lacking at that point in time yeah that went over on naldi that Jim is referencing in the opening round Aton as we get a look at that head-to-head as Jim mentioned that match in Houston of course and also the one here last year Rob try and take us if you can hear us okay just try and take us a few few X's and O's of what we're looking out for here from both men what are the the non-negotiables do you think for both guys out here well non-negotiable they both got a serve well and it was interesting last year when they played how many breaks of serve there were when I was going back and just just having a look at the numbers I was quite surprised that 30 seconds they broke each other as much as they did and uh Shelton only saved two of six break points so he got broken on four occasions TFO was broken seven times and I tell you what if Shelton returns well today that could be the Tipping Point in this matchup so what I'm looking for this time round is a better serving performance that will lay the platform for the rest of their games to flourish off of and if they both serve pretty well I think then the next aspect becomes who can make more meaningful returns when it matters most and of course last time they played um that third set tiebreaker was so critical TFO had a set point on his serve didn't make it count lost that third set tie break and literally that has become a Tipping Point in the following nine months for him where he never really recovered after losing that tie break and eventually that match Nick so I think once again this could be a paper thin margins [Music] a real highlight of the third round on the men's side this is a match for one of a better word with a fair bit of Sizzle attached to it isn't it these two guys can bring it New York the perfect stage for them to show us what they can do ready it'll be Shelton who enjoyed such a fabulous run here 12 months ago to get this one going [Applause] love fa te 15 all P Shelton has one of the livest arms in men's tennis when it comes to delivering Firepower from the serve last year nearly hitting a 150 this year he's really starting to vary his serve a lot more get to miss a first serve here today but if you look at the speed gun you see his mom Lisa on the left dad Brian and coach on the right he's really not reaching back for the PowerHouse flat serve as much he's trying to keep his opponents off balance as a result of that guys he's taking his first serve percentage up pretty dramatically making a lot more keeping folks off balance and he's also taking a little bit of stress off of his arm remember all the cupping marks that were on his shoulders last year at the US Open you don't see any of those here do you mhm it's the evolution of Ben Shelton it is very much a work in progress game sh it's amazing really because I was looking at those first serve numbers as well Jim this morning and if you go back two years his first percentage was only around the 56 Mark he goes to Big targets he doesn't go for the corners as much Shelton does it with a lot more off speed pitches let's a different philosophy and for you guys it'd be like Bowlers right speed bowler versus someone who's throwing googli and all that good stuff how how did I do I mean that's some good knowledge Jim welcome let's not go too fast past the googly cuz uh we might lose each other what did you see in Francis in the last few weeks as I see his parents there in screen for a starter yeah what what have we seen what was missing you referenced it briefly but what's he got back that he didn't have at the start of the Year tennis wise a lot of it starts with his his Outlook optimism right there we see his girlfriend Broomfield who was all the body double for Venus Williams in the King Richard movie mhm played played a high level college tennis in America um it's a confidence thing which leads to better shot selection you know Francis and Robbie jump in any time here he's one of the more disruptive forces in men's tennis he can get to the net crush and Rush returns he keeps opponents off balance with with his location on the court I think Robbie absolutely I think the double handed back that he has he's got one of the big bit singlehanded slices 14 and the quicker quarts that variation that he has off the ground really serves him well his back in slash was I think even a little bit more effective and Cincy good hands in the court sneaky good serve but I think his energy is back neck also when I have body language on the court I thought against MTI in Cincinnati that really caught my attention how well he played against Lorenzo when there were half chances for Lorenzo to get back into the match there they was so quickly snuffed out and often snuffed out with high quality points and it was like okay the man's back and he's back in a big way save the match point against Runa let's not forget that would have given him a load of confidence he was down 5-2 in the third set mhm and rescued that situation to reach the final that was worth a lot of valuable prize money and points but but you nailed it Robbie most essential for him is confidence and belief you with that shot given the time 30 love good was that I that is not an easy serve to control from a return perspective guys would be Duran Duran fans right that's a flex Flex fle Flex Flex [Music] brilliant I love that from both players 14 there's the change up you were talking about just 107 mph second CC all kinds of Spin and talk on it and then the improvisation from Francis where he's got the chip return going to put that ball back in play ask a good question okay Shelton spank you very much boys wow Shelton enjoyed that leads by two games early League actually watched Ben Shelton practice just as I arrived here a few hours ago finished this session with a fair bit of serving at a different targets [Music] 15 left with David wit these days is Tia of course relatively new partnership there he is what sort of personality is David David is a highly accomplished coach started with Venus Williams and an amazing work with Jesse pulo leading her in the top five in the world he is a very relaxed even keeled coach a little bit on the Craig Bon mode mhm does get too up doesn't get too down just brings a nice sense of calm to a team and and with that is probably really helpful for Francis In This Moment course the coach that really helped Francis get into position to be talked about the way we do is Wayne Ferrera did amazing job with Francis giving him more options to get to the net making that sliced backand more of a weapon like Robbie talked about and David Whit is very much out of that mold most of us raised our eyebrows when they parted company fera andao at the end of the last year but I think this this one makes sense in the same kind of way that's my view what's your view again just seeing it from the outside and not necessarily always from the inside I just get the feeling with francis's personality that there got to be a bit of free reain there as well I I would sense it's not all about 100 milph work all day every day is it I don't think that would be my assessment of it and then I just wonder if he is a bit of a free spirit right as well so you're going to know when to come in and know when to to not I would imagine is that the perspective that it senses yeah I think so Robbie what what did you glean obviously know Wayne very well what did you glean from their time together yeah I think you you've wrapped it up in a nutshell Jim stunning returns and Shelton who doesn't break up that often lead by three games to one especially doing so at the first time of asking that makes it even more impressive I think Wayne gave him a lot of belief I think he respected Wayne's career as well so the Buy in was there from the beginning and I think their temperament suited one another Wayne's got a quiet intensity about him he's not a very raw raw coach so you know I think communication and personality is such an important ingredient in in coaching I think that's why they worked so well [Applause] well here early stage of sh isn't he that's a trouble sign for tiao because the forehand you've already seen him go nuclear on that shot if he's solid on the backand he going to be a tough ask and I thought a few gentlemen saw the news this morning but you mentioned Craig Boon looks like Craig and H catch supporting ways gentlemen yep that that is going to uh raise a few eyebrows as well given their success and that will probably I I told Craig on text earlier today keep your phone handy I'm sure it'll be ringing ringing the bell with that b 1 nice clean simple technique right uses his feet here not much of a follow through just accepting the pace of this passing shot this picture perfect goodness see bringing some heat off that Wing early on 40 15 that over 100 miles an hour 403 once again going for placement on the serve that one just 108 the one before 107 not red lining all the time as you suggested Jim well he brought out the Kenny Powers fast for and and Francis was on it wasn't he that by far the fastest of the match about 10 miles hour quicker at 136 than his previous best offering but Francis on top of that one and a little tension in this service game possible rebre come [Applause] on sh did I hear that right he certainly did throwing a little Al in there or a little D he's going to be multilingual and adding fans all around the globe touch touch touch stop play that is what they came to see game incredible get initially from Shelton and he has sto on that point he extends his lead Good Start shoten leads by four games to one first set was fourth [Music] coming a dynamic playing a fell in your day always brings a little bit of uh more blood boiling for the Americans and certainly for all Nations I think there's a sense of Pride if you want to be the alpha mhm these guys are a different generation right T is the generation with Tomy PA and Riley opela Taylor Fritz so that this creates a little bit of a different dynamic because especially when you're the older player the more experienced player you don't want to be 0 and three 0 and two no doubt in my mind that talo needs this match for his ego as much as he needs it for points and opportunity Shelton's had the better year he's won far more matches he's ahead of Francis in the year-to date race not by much but you know at some point you're you want to be the peacock in the locker room show off your feathers and this match can help you dust them off gameo and when you're assessing a match up like this how much do you take into account recent results the importance of that versus say Francis has been playing well of late perhaps slightly better results wise than Ben but overall it's been a good season for Ben well I think you depends on which Camp you're in obviously if you're Francis you you work on building confidence through that momentum and you tell them this is a different matchup you're a different player than when you played in in Houston which is true by the way Francis was in the dumps leading into Houston that was going of the only good result he had in the first half of the Season great reflexes but not enough to get the point look if you're in Shelton's Camp you tell them look matchup is what matters here you've beaten this guy twice including on this court last year this is a good matchup for you and you buil confidence in your player from that direction [Music] make the most of that opportunity what he got a little planted actually caught by surprise reading this morning this is the first matchup between two American men in the top 20 in a major since sise played Agy in the final here in 02 couldn't believe that that is shocking really yeah years with rodic and Blake and fish and jany amazing [Applause] way to get him running side to side 15 13 great job was a good serve for him in this matchup 12 months ago we had a look back at some of the numbers and that wide serve on the ad was very profitable for Shelton almost 85% of the points in these two played here last year I tell you what when the returns have come back Ben has been so very good with this first shot there after he's dictated the rallies very intelligently serve plus one has been good a lot of serves have come back gentlemen that one not nearly with as much purchase as Tio would have liked with the break and with a good lead in set number one M Nick my my sense is that it probably is not a great memory for him mhm I mean Novak certainly made a point when he beat him in the next round to to hang up the phone on him and kind of say you know with a rise smile that it just having fun with it I think we all have seen know enough about that to know that he was just establishing who the real Alpha was yeah but that's one of the things that makes Nick sorry Ben so appealing is he is different like the way that he his energy on the court his intensity his connection with the crowd is pretty uninhibited in that direction that that good for the game right cut some people don't like it some people do but everyone has a view on it right absolutely I guess my question would be does it create attention he doesn't need well that that's the thing that players learn over time is to where to spend your energy use it in useful ways as you see Jordy arconada on the right of screen next to David Whit that's the longtime friend hitting partner and coach of Francis that's nicely good so Shelton will serve for the first set and and the last thing I'll say on that guys by five games to three is as you mature you just pick your spots if you need it to lift yourself up great but postmatch celebration should not be a cause of friction mhm been playing at a good Pace this set 28 minutes we thought that might be the case Shelton looking to close it out that's a a pattern of play that would work well for TFO if he could keep directing two three shots into the backhand corner of Shelton and then fire one into the forehand Corner that running forehand for Shelton is still very much a work in progress he's much better operating out of his backhand Corner hitting for ands much more comfortable with the inside in and out aspect of that swing you're bang one of the first PA K has really got directed through he hits the ball so flat like love generally guides it but that one he went after because he has missed a couple of routine backends early on so he's he's decided I need to get more rord head speed going and that one he flushed giving himself a look here love 30 love 14 he's had some looks at second serves and he has made the most of them here tell you what that is not easy shot because there's a decent amount of slce on it it's low it's in an uncomfortable part of the Court short you haven't got a lot of court to work with you got to get that ball up and down quickly well executed given the circumstances lets for service it's two points in a row two break points in a row the tfo's had opport and Shelton very intentional with his location going body forehand jamming TFO up understanding that francis's backand return is far more dangerous and far more secure so smart serving from Shelton even though he missed first serves very mindful of where he hit it and he stayed in control of those rallies as a result two down one to go bur as a result a stun from Tio who breaks back it's 5-4 in the first Shelton leads by five games to four first set from his perspective at a an opportune moment back on surf I'm also wondering like now when Ben has got broken let's say he's he's SP serving more than going with the power serve does that make him reassessed as he think well I should have gone for more big serves because he's not getting as many in returns only 20% of his first serves are UNR returned compared to 46% in previous rounds and I I wonder how that manifests in a server Ben's mind CU if he ends up breaking here it won't matter would matter eventually but his focus is going to be right here and right now trying to steal two more points [Applause] 153 go good feet into the court PA good feet into the court come on got this come on good toss right here sh come on [Applause] return Tio just was simply not ready for what was going to come back his white they worked hard to get the point back he's in danger of letting it slip again [Music] [Applause] theot two breaks for one by six games to takes it [Music] 64 too many seats to be had on ash Shelton set to the good 15 love despite the good year that he's had he's actually today looking for his top 20 win of the year caught me slightly by surprise 0 and seven Shelton is against top 20 opposition this [Music] year consider where he is he's knocking on the door of the top 10 right now as Ben not break through this year but [Applause] St that was a little bit of Hogwart St second sets I think that chot needs to improve in the for TF he's miss a lot of back hands in the net that's my gun feel it's just been one or two decent strikes but better net clearance better feel on that shot hard for him Robbie given how flat he hits his back hand it's a for him to get net clearance he has to take speed off of the ball cuz he doesn't add spin to it so it's a it's always a fine for him and it's it's a bit of a a tell that he's feeling under pressure from the Baseline attack of Ben Shelton and and isn't that nice to say if you're a Ben Shelton fan because that that just underscores that he's making improvements is it me or got flatter in the last I wasn't listening most things are me Jim it's okay let's start there and then work backwards we do that at home it's always my fault so that's okay I'm married too but our back's getting flatter in the men's game or there's a lot of them out there right some of them are I don't think it's a epidemic that's a pretty good if you want to do damage with the back hand by and large flattening it out is is the way you need to do it forehands because of the freedom of the the finish of the Swing are just a faster shot by Nature unless you have a one-handed backand someone like Cascade can create a tremendous amount of Spin and speed vinka you know some of those Dominic team backhands but by and large if you want to hurt people with your back hand it has to be flat to get through it g TFO the one obvious exception is someone like Casper rou One game all with a significant yeah more amount of spin on the ball but he doesn't hurt people with it as a result right absolutely he has the spinni backhand in in tennis but it doesn't have the speed that someone like Nadal's forehand or caspers for that matter brings to bear that can that is the combination that is that is devastating but in an absence of speed if you if you have a lot of spin you're just asking to get hurt mhm 5 there's a there's obviously a that little perfect sweet spot of speed and spin I think you'd start with someone like the greatest ever Novak's backhand he's right bang on in the middle when it comes to the amount of revolutions per minute he puts on in the top 50 23rd out of 50 players in doing that that Qui that slot wasn't quite effective enough you look at the the people who have the most Top Spin on their backends in the in the top 50 last year it's led by Casper rude and then you go to a bunch of one-handed back handsand right you got cipas you've got demitro you've got mouset in there let's service it's pretty clear that the best backhand around Novak's backhand he can flatten it out if he wants to and the thing that he does best is also change direction at will oh my how did he make that turn sounded like a bomb going off Ser I think as well he seemed to be somewhat perturbed by it a rare Miss off his forehand thir [Applause] [Applause] 43 G Shel dropped the hammer from 1530 in a position of some difficulty there Shelton leads by two games to one second set and by one set to love he to putting on a good show here so far one the highlights their match of the US Open last year love go let's go back Robbie we know that Shelton is a phenomenal server how about his return of serve is there room for growth there yeah I think that's going to be a key element for him jum going forward think if you can uh bump that number up I think there's a a threshold of about 35% that you need to get to just over 34 and A2 to 35 if you want to be a top 10 player 35% of what making returns winning points again return points one percentage that's the key number um if you have a look back over the last 30 years of year end top 10 players very few of them are below that number so even if you're an unbelievable server you still have to have a decent return game to be a top 10 player jump beautiful forehand there gets a chance here at 1530 where does Shelton fall in those metrics now Robbie what are his numbers yeah he's he's up a bit he's at 33.1 a little bit up from 32.6% last year which was one of the lowest on tours so if he wants to become a top 10 player uh um it's definitely some improvement uh my fellow Countryman Kevin Anderson is uh one of the lowest what a clever move that was as he saw the rocket face opening he was sharply forwards wasn't he and if he can keep getting into so many points in return that is only going to serve him well John is is the outa JY he's one of the only guys in the last 33 years who's below 30% of return points one of course you look up serving outlier he's the guy so I wouldn't look at him as an example but the point is that Ben needs to get around 35% if he wants to be a top 10 player and he's about two percentage points below that at the moment on return so we'll keep an eye on that number as the season unfolds there's a big moment right here second serve 30 all 143 and of course as you clim the rankings Jim as you know to improve those return numbers you're playing against better guys each and every week so it becomes tough doesn't it yeah you certainly want to be playing the top level competition the most cuz that means you're getting to the business end of tournaments so the obvious question to both of you is how does he improve his return cuz we can sit here all day long and talk numbers but what well what how is he going to better so 10,000 what Robbie's saying which is factually correct and full credit to Jeff SackMan who's a brilliant analyst and data analyst who has a great website tennis abstract.com highly recommend you check that out if you're tennis geek like we are look the reality is how there are various ways to win points right but you start with the basic fundamentals you've got to make returns otherwise you have no chance right that's obvious so that's the first place to look if you're Ben Shelton's dad in this team and and our friends at Hawkeye gave us some numbers that the top 50 in men's tennis they make against first serves they make 72% of their returns in play for the year that's a yearly average so that's the Baseline you start with you got to be close to that right and Shelton is at 68% so he's not giv himself as many chances as as his peers that's balls in play Jim balls in play first serve returns and it gets even worse on that's on the forehand side on the backhand side players make 75% of the turns why their swings are more Compact and they're meet they able to meet the ball and they just have a higher hit rate there he's down at 70% so he really needs to work on his backhand return so that's it you you really need to have that discussion of what where am I standing depending on the server what type of return am I trying am I trying to swing which is much harder to time on the forehand or am I chipping return which Francis does a terrific job but you got to go down the rabbit hole there and find that solution first game be a better Baseline click once the ball's in play we just play in Baseline rallies and Shelton has improved Shelton leads by three games to two for grow set [Applause] 32 the queen be of fashion of V magazine and she's befriended Francis and his girlfriend Ian she's helped them get decked out for parties [Applause] 15 that's called friends with benefits isn't it yeah but she she is also one of the all-time great fed fans huge feter Fan's am isn't she dressed smartly today easy game here for TFO so far wearing the same suit that Robbie's wearing CT side kind of looks like it hey behave [Music] yourself new balls pleas good stuff on serve in this [Applause] set men have kept tight last year's match there were some some big hitting but lots of unforced errors and today it's it's pretty concise both guys very much more in the the winnner column than unforced errors so it's it's a nice Lev tennis nice bit of tension in here but something's got to give three a piece in the second set no break points yet in set two for either player the first time T taken a deep the cons it is you guys like that Nick I mean he's giving himself go back to the conversation we had five minutes ago he's giving himself more chances right he's a great athlete so he can he can certainly use his wheels to good effect yeah let that spin die out a bit I think the spin has been undoing him on a couple [Music] occasions chance nowo couple good returns in play and nice finishes that same category we were talking about returns in play too's forehand is below average just at 70% compared to the average of 72 so better than Shelton but his back end returns he makes far more than average he's generated three great points here to break this second set open he's actually done a good job on that for him a lot today isn't he as well it's a nasty one but he's put a lot back in Play Chances to break open this [Music] set 15 [Applause] for got a decent amount of record on ball there the t f off the backand side you expect to make that have for that had some serious talk on it [Applause] boys lets for service 142 get the murmurs of the crowd here's a second serve chance for TFO come on juice how about that variation on the second serve 109 milph with the wicked Twist on it t got airborne and couldn't get enough stick on the return and from love 40 Shelton climbs back to deuce [Applause] [Applause] forced to play the F defense wasn't he throughout the course of the rally but he hung on tight and got his reward TF one of six on the breakpoint conversion rate so far Tio thank you this match starting to come alive you can feel it down here the energy starting to rise juice another ferociously Swift serve [Applause] gentlemen yeah he's top five this year Shelton in break points saved he's actually fourth 70% over of break points he's saved on the year Advantage tone little fortunate Jim maybe to get away with that approach he put the pressure on [Applause] again what kind of serve does he bring here all the options on the table the slider out wide the bombb te the body which way does he go you were poin out how effective that was for him last year in this match up juice almost 90% of points one just got a full deck of cards isn't he when he comes up to the line it's just so many plays he can use as you say and most of the break points take place in the ad Court which is a nice place to serve when you're a lefty was pointed out to me many many many times how difficult serving the dke court for a lefty and how it's a big Advantage for the righties to get more chances to so you know you could you can shape that argument you know you get a sense that Max's dad was a pretty good lawyer when you have these discussions with him got five points coming go in the game and that'll be a real lift for Ben Shelton set and fourth Shelton leads by four games to three second set and by one set [Music] to enjoying this one I like that play gentlemen because when I L checked Shelton was chipping almost 50% of his backand so using the slice a lot so that sneak will keep him honest got to watch yourself in New York City you can get pocketed real easy if you're not taking care and Shelton he's got his Bunch money stolen on this point didn't he thought he had it in France just casually swats that one across for a winner theft in broad daylight let's this is one of those towns and I live here I have for a long time for at least the Summers and lived here full time before this is when I moved here I learned quickly you keep your wallet in your front pocket your back always be on your guard and that's what these players have to be as well here on in this match up quick [Music] reflexes 1 15 Robbie you probably have one of those cool like little chains on your wallet oh bad I'm really bad and we got could have be on a got an essay as well so well trained Jim I can tell you Jim that Robbie's wallet's so big you can bungee jump off it the moths come out of it when the checks come out at dinner too occasionally hurting my feelings gentlemen wouldn't there reputational risk of working with me and Nick Rob [Applause] such a big fan of crush and Rush Tommy PA does it so well from that dece side yeah all these guys with good two-handed cans right they can just follow it right in and have a good angle to defend the [Music] net it's another half pint backand for me he not committed to that shot he's said moments when he's hit it well but for the most part it's been below pul need to find something here does tifo had the five breakpoint chances in the prior game didn't get it and now he's back to deuce the set could get away in a hurry if he doesn't tidy things up here Shon looking for input from his dad as to where to stand he's going deep for this return [Applause] Advantage TF tell ball dropped only an 84 mph second serve isn't it so actually by the fact he's so deep the ball's lost a lot of pace by the time it actually gets to him TF has survived s I'll tell you something that becomes quite evident when you at Courtside here is how much individual fans get involved with the players it's like everybody feels like they have the right to coach and say something it's brilliant gives the fist pump says a couple of words to him like he's the coach I think indecisive of [Applause] 1 second game in a row on serve Shelton's been in a position of real peril love had a shovel on the other side of the Court able to dig himself out we have one on this side as well another love 40 deficit staring him in the face this takes one first double of the day as well got a lovely little uh is of holding serve from the US Open charer and at L 40 the average in men singles is 15% so he's going to have to defy the odds again folks winning that point certainly defied the odds Tio had him seemingly dead right his M looks on anxiously gets another great point 0 for seven in this set here comes number eight [Music] just telling seven of the 11 break points he's now found the first serve so far in this match of sh bre serve here wonder if it breaks tfo's spirit this is kind of be so tough for him having all these chances and not having any luck converting Chucks the door on him and a wor himself leads five to ball second sets by one set to love recovery required here for tiao good finish 15 l 16 of 20 and he's coming today Tia good response in the first point given what's happened in the last two service games what did they say Nick life is 10% what happens to you 90% how you respond to it big test of the mentality and character right here for Francis there you love 40 love unforced error by our numbers of this set Shelton might have a bit of a problem here oh got his top tier tennis 143 top tier Swagger as well definitely touching this one over any signs of duress movement wise in that point Nick didn't see it be okay right yeah I wonder if he just caught something on the previous point I certainly caught that drop probably perfectly TF he had to overcome some frustrations at times in this set and he might well feel as though it's one that he should have secured already five GES all second s not the [Applause] C good he is getting looks yeah and that's ins spite of Shelton not missing many many first serves serving over 75% in the set better than he did in the the opening set Francis doing a great job of applying pressure making returns and getting into position now he just needs to finish the job off if he gets another break chance 50 love [Applause] [Music] [Applause] 15 see if we'll get a ser and volley here in this game from Sheldon his dad's been asking him to ser and volley once per game this summer up 15 1 asking for that not up to be CAU a little sharp sharper than it actually was from James kabong [Applause] it's playing on the big screen right in front of James but uh he didn't Flinch gentlemen 30 another surf with some serious horsepower I mean the sound it makes off of his strings just melts into them oh take the ball back wasn't special from looking to try and accelerate one of his big shot once again for a third game in a row on serve Shelton staring down the barel to break point by goodness of his numbers being good as we reference this season mostly been the wide serve in this court that done of damage but every now and then the piper down the middle and finally TFO gets his reward and he will Ser to take set number two leit by six games to five second set first set [Applause] Shelton it's a strangle hold there's no doubt about it problematic than that it was would have been more y wild to he one here last week yeah was okay it's looking like a split Precision gentlemen two more points for TFO to send it into a third set all tied up yeah he is tough to get a hold of when he's made the first serve in this set isn't he to sh patience when he couldn't convert early on from we're an hour and a half in for a set of pce perfectly this third rounder to Americans locked at a set a piece 15 love couple of people sitting next to me also thought that was long on the Baseline 15 on [Applause] he's Tumbl but he's taking it that was a work of art right there I do see a springb on his jersey so surpris let's for service 14 15 they get everywhere these South Africans don't they I mean we're try and keep them out of the conversation and it's just impossible [Applause] it's easy to forget isn't it then slightly unconventional rout really well talk about B of players it feels like we're certainly back in my homeland where there's so much emphasis on playing a lot of match as a eight and 10 year old you got to go and play X am of matches a year but this guy really I mean tennis really wasn't and that was a lot of what his Focus was but good for tennis that eventually found his way to his dad and and his mom's Family Sport for that matter some people might not realize of course they know that his father now was a professional for many years on the tour is that his mom Lisa name is Witkin and if you're a longtime tennis fan like we are you would remember Todd Witkin one of her brothers she's a big family and Todd in 1986 in the third round of the US Open beat Jimmy Connors in straight sets Conor hadn't lost before the semis of the US Open for 13 years wow major upset Todd was a fantastic singles and more even more so doubles player top 10 doubles player chance here for Shelton so I'll get quickly to the the rest of the story Ty whiskin had a tremendous tennis career Brian Shelton married Todd's Sister Lisa and sadly Todd lost his battle with cancer died in his 30s tragedy so he never knew that but tennis blood is coursing through both sides of of his family you know [Applause] 5 10 go 3 and what a steal that's Francis TFO at his athletic and creative best otherworldly off that backand side that I his Quick Serve of the day it was and some heat attached to it adrenaline playing its SP juice take break break hey advantage to your home [Music] [Applause] S I mean put in such a good shift at the end of the second from T but he's maintained his Focus well a little look up towards his corner of course his best friend Jordy it's a very good ball Jordy doesn't he of can see those guys warming up together 15 what [Music] [Applause] it was the chip on the backand side when it looked as though there were really options for him here to try and diffuse the situation he may have got lucky in the end but [Applause] 15 tou in [Applause] [Applause] thir she needing another look at the forand line that just seems to have caught Shelton slightly by surprise and once more this guy has got a look at the Shelton [Applause] serve that's not coming back not unless you're guessing not touching 132 close to the line and Francis was covering the slow wide one it's a good forehand Shelton continues to make serves up in the Sasha ver range at 71% for the match and his fastest serve is 13 39 mph he's got the cannon we know that but his average first serve just a shade over 110 Francis is actually averaging higher because he goes for goes for more as you can see here Francis up at 117 Francis making far less as a result it's a good finish from Shelton who has definitely had to work a little harder for his hold throughout the course of this match holds a slender lead early stages of the Third [Applause] my goodness it's about as good as it gets from there 15 we got a good listen in to Brian Shelton instructing Ben to try and gain as much ground as he can in these battles not give up Court position against Francis we know Francis wants to get into the net so two B they both been there right about the same amount of times and it's so much of who wins these matches as about who controls the center of the Court further you go back the more vulnerable you are to angles and that's what his dad was instructing him cuz while Francis can't really hit great angles with his backand he he's good on them but because he doesn't have Top Spin he can't be aggressive with them he has to caress them he can absolutely snap off the forehand crosscourt with all the Top Spin he can get 14 15 trying to shift the return position a little higher off the second there but stop looking hit that come on much of a difference actually just got us some numbers in terms of first serve UNR returned here Jim for this match so far Shon with a a 10% swing but not perhaps quite the the advantage you would think necessarily Shelton that 39% un return first serve TFO at 29 so far today thank you right off the line Shelton Doing a better uh sorry TFO doing a better job of not getting his serve threatened and you know Francis is just the returns from Shelton aren't doing damage necessarily and that's sometimes I mean I love numbers as much as anybody in tennis we can derive a lot of information but sometimes the quality of the return is is going to be so much more important than how many made and our unique scoring system really stresses peing at the right time and stringing uh getting streaky and doing it in one return game and that can be enough that's where Shelton needs he might need to up his risk profile on his return to serve and try and just take some chances [Applause] 14 it's where if if tennis was like team sports and you played in halves or quarters and you had a chance to go into the locker room with your team and kind of look at some information and really okay this is what we need to really shift cuz we're not making much ground here these guys have to do it on the fly a little bit of input from their coaches nice quick hold sh and leads by three games to sh third set one at all just seven spots in the world ranking separate these two coming into this week [Music] somewhat going opposite directions at times one's gone one way once on the other certainly in the early part of the year [Music] [Applause] 15 no [Applause] now team Contin 4 I think one thing Wayne Ferrera did as well due to Francis is he encouraged him to be a more aggressive first server didn't he when you look back at his four or five years ago he asked Francis to to take a bit more risk on his first serve look for the three point a bit more often [Applause] francis's favorite serves as he misses that Runner are slice serves he likes to slice in the dece court likes to slice up and I remember Wayne talking about how he wanted him to really find that flat serve up the middle in the de court and pronate flat serve wide in the ad to be less predictable today he's been very predictable hasn't he Nick mhm a lot to the back end Wing right so far tons and it's working out just fine I mean winning over 80% of first serves in play tell I think the back head slice has definitely improved as well this season just watching it here court side is getting some nice bite on it technically he's getting down low and the effect that it's it has on the other side of the net is it buys him time and and as a result he can often bring his four into play one or two shots later which is always the goal for Shelton Advantage seen a break point since the opening set has been Shel and here's a real moment in the match as tifo go back to the serve that's been working so well for him that slice up the middle to the backand Shelton has to be looking there and if you get beat wide over the high part of the net too good got to protect the middle here [Music] [Applause] juice yeah he waited for that volley to come to him he hit that right in front of me and instead of going to meet it out front I'm not sure the first volley should have been a a drop volley gentlemen I would like positional play first and then maybe the second one looking for the drop shot there after wrong shot and wrong execution again with a change up there a few returns have come back into playing this game off his two-hander Advantage Shelton once again into one of those key games the longer it goes on the more significant you feel it becomes Wy [Applause] he juice [Applause] [Music] oh he [Applause] a regretable decision make Making Moves by Shelton trying to hit winners with his backhand from deep in the court is a low probability outcome his forehand is a different story but he shouldn't be trying to decide points with his backhand and rallies right now not at this critical juncture when he's got an opportunity to take over you got to wait with your backand and finish with the forehand about the sword on the shield isn't it and he is very much in that category you feel right now the shield let him down and so the sword right at the end there disappointingly yeah I was just remarking how beautiful his beck and slices looking why not be a bit patient with that shot TFO is finding it very difficult to attack that shot so so easy for B to remain neutral in the rally all the pressures on Frances yeah but isn't this fun guys break points coming both sides a lot to play for of course Lots on the line for these two top 20 Americans thank you it's the way it's supposed to be little spicy sport is the best form of reality TV [Music] 15 sh's first percentage we've highlighted it a fair bit but it's even better in this set almost 80 right now just two points lost when he made it as well more success in that department in this set Beau Jim has a question for you playing a match like this a big match is's a lot on the line did you ever take time even if it was just for one point to look around and think man this is pretty cool or were you just locked in all the time it's usually walking out of the tunnel that that was a moment to appreciate how lucky these athletes are to do what they love and have people pay money to watch it it's almost an unbelievable feeling 4 and never take it for granted but they once you are in the battle Robbie you you know it you lived it you just have to stay in the moment and play it shot for shot you don't have time to appreciate everything we can to appreciate that little beauty what a little feathery half volley that was shot leads by four games to three Let's [Music] Go 2 Hour 4 minutes into this one well I'll try and describe this forehand for you start with the grip yeah take from there this will give us a good look at it got the chopper one out there and uh it was effective he's just kept his volley grip and just flat centered it in the Racket and that was that was a surprise on many levels oh frames the B and look at this love 30 to improbable steals from Shelton in this game off the forehand Wing love yep the bend has undone him just when he thought the ret was in the right position just misjudge this don't you call that the banana Rob that's where I come from the banana boys we are down in Durban good shout it coming in shot and looking to get his for into play just got himself a little tied up earlier in the rally handed the initiative to his [Applause] opponent still 15:30 this is a moment you again take away the middle serve here forced Tia to go wide oh he took that what a pass that was so deep in the court to dip that one was exceptional 15 14 the way to express yourself man it all you keep [Applause] he's going to look at some more break [Applause] points G end is gifted him a game that Shelton has taken and one that Tia you feel would rather forget Shon leads by five games to three left himself with too much to [Applause] do everything with purpose where he has only lost a total of five points on his own deal Ben Shelton serving for a two sets to one [Music] [Applause] lead one of the points of the tournament so far and Shelton will wonder in the end how he's missed the last volley but how in the world was this point still going like how does this shot go in love TFO thought it was out the call never came so he gets back into the rally and that was tremendous what a pickup what an athlete he impresses even when he loses points absolutely plenty of appeal in this young man ready for the return was he Tia did a great job of wrestling that one down the line he's going to keep taking that second early so sometimes into the body hybrid or [Applause] something that is the play someone's crowding the Baseline return you try and jam the ball into their body with your second serve best case scenarios did not have to hit one just keep pumping first serves in [Music] this is number four excuse me number five of this set [Music] that's great tennis intelligence I love the C of the back a slice and then the late decision just to sneak up when I'm like a Prius [Applause] Shelton forced to hit the panic button there wasn't he with his last slice didn't know where to go [Music] really too many occasions Ben Shelton's Face 14 breaks three sets of tennis can they for that first ball every time think [Applause] so exactly what he's had to do today [Music] Advantage sh did all the hard work making that second Ser return at8 miles an hour [Music] [Applause] his dad called for the body serf and Sun delivered it but Shelton fought it off and fights off that set point and the backand misses another time that the backhand was the decision maker for Shelton [Applause] no wonder he off has that reaction that was seriously impressive because he had to soak up a lot this reminds me of that famous crocodile d d line that's not a knife this is a knife look at that a little dropped shot then he just Returns the favor just cuts this ball in two thank you crowd up in the an as well [Music] [Applause] [Music] please FS when trying to shut it out in this third set not to be there's a little more script to be written here one set enthralling contest here on ash second of the day session matches just gone 5:00 here in New York love LS for service [Applause] you had the beling suspenders on that approach shot way too safe right to the center of the Court it was a great volley though wasn't it but how about the flick from Ben Shelton all of a sudden holding serve is a real challenge for these [Applause] guys 15 1 [Applause] exed that beautifully didn't he I like that return of serve from Ben Shelton a lot just the block return it was a quality serve out wide he gave himself a chance and TFO had to take a chance himself on that drop shot but he did it risky and rewarding in the end [Applause] disgusting earlier but the fear he has off his slic back and really is right up there some of the best in the game his ability to take Pace out of that ball it's pretty special go come on [Applause] juice up for the first time decelerating too much behind that second serve [Applause] what a skull Merchant andage Hing his field once again I tell you what Ben was halfway up the court so he didn't have a lot of room to to work with that's how good the shot had to be plenty of skill and feel required he won three4 of the points isn't he on by numbers when he's come little Salt Bay on that Sizzle afterwards to didn't go unnoticed to it what a match this has been 198 points it's currently 99 all [Music] [Applause] thank you ladies and gentlemen let go cannot believe he's missed there certainly not [Applause] wide guessed correctly come on it's got him with the pace [Applause] thir this is going to be up there with one of the best matches we've seen so far on the men's side in week one certainly this period of it anyway because sustained quality both bringing the best out of one another here set close now to an hour in duration heing the big stuff 14 close this game out with it first servey missed was 142 mil an hour [Applause] 4038 [Applause] [Music] body serve coming here finish pry strong reaction from Shon as well we are very much at the sharp end of this third set the set decisive six games to five third sets one setle instruction coming to Shelton from his father to go through tfo's forehand on the big Point stay away from the solid two-hander I like that input I think that's the right one cuz Francis is just so Compact and and just doesn't miss his backand as often that's a beautiful up Point float it onto that back count he sure did the downside of playing T is if you don't do enough with your shot to hurt him he can definitely sting you with it you need to if you want to hurt tfo's forehand you have to hit big into it it's a little B bit like shant's forehand MH on a quick court go hard into it she's neutralized but if you leave it hanging you're toast and when he delivered that message was quite loud cuz I heard it here in my sitting position I'm just wondering if it was loud enough that TFO heard it and uh whether there's some subtle College coaching techniques going on there just loud enough so the opponent can perhaps be aware of some frailties try to make them think about it Robbie you got that mellian streak in you you're you are a cynic whatever it takes jumbo and when I went to watch college tennis for the first time it it opened up my eyes I tell you that much it's one of the best back dances at all match sule Brilliance and a little bit more toppy on that one had better shape that's what gave him the length placed with geometric Perfection right in the top corner of the Court [Music] okay s Deja about this isn't it from their match up here last year six games all that sets occasion as Jim was reminding us was a third set breaker that really proved a Tipping Point in terms of the outcome of it and for tiao Nick not only in the match but for the remainder of the season and well into this year y only one backto back matches Francis once all year coming into the event in DC remember been a disappointing one [Music] one Z like he's going for the the first serve the big first serve a little more often to get that confirmed but no it's confirmed his his average first surf speed is climbed up to 114 so it is slowly turning up the heat come on two Z Shelton Jim on the balance of play in the big moments in this match thus far you think one player's being a little bit better than the other certainly in This Ti break there no question who's better but Robbie to answer that I'd say you know chelton has been better at handling the big moments how many break points do he had to defend 15 of them only broken three times but tfo's been better at creating pressure but right now he's under it Shelton too many breaks [Applause] ball Zero sh that first ball there [Applause] tough lot to execute think he sprinkled in but infrequently [Music] dump in the towel boxes and frustration in the corner down five love here his team trying to keep him engaged just win these two on your surve 66 minutes this set the 63 of them Tia was pretty much in the conversation but 6 right now tfo's frustrated it's not going to be an easy sit down for him but it this has been more about what Shelton's done in this tiebreaker the question is going to be if it does go away Shelton as we suspect it will does tifo have a different mind set down two sets to one than last year where it seemed like he didn't have enough fight left in him 62 shelter low lck work but sh rather lushing that one got away with it t fo 63 this has got a little intrigu sh out of nowhere this is taking a little bit of additional [Applause] time watching on [Applause] 64 shelter a lot of unforced errors on the truck Shelton set for number six a big G thank you [Applause] 65 count and remarkably Shelton is down to his last ready for set sh 143 mil it was dramatic over 71 minutes 76 I'm in the co-pilot seat you're the pilot you got fly the dang thing just got to I just got to make sure we don't crash I mean now you tell me actually 10 years ago TFO played the US Open for the very first time he got a wild card he was of course a very very good Junior was in the qualies that year death there that volume I just couldn't get underneath better better get his feet underneath him right here love 30 from the right there there's a lot of the physical work withes oh he's made it didn't look like what a pass that is 15 [Applause] touching nearly perfect point from Ben Shelton and that is a ridiculous pass at a time of real crisis for tifo that could have been love 40 [Applause] there you talk about Ben wanting to improve return points one I don't I don't understand what he's trying to do with that return it's just given the score line the moment we're in in the match 4 all the pressures on Frances and he's he hasn't made either of the second Ser returns he's got to look at how about that passing shot I'm still Gob smack by that love 30 4and pass preved a love 40 deficit new but a look at that reaction he knows just how important that game could prove to be first game fourth sets just fallowing up on the go 15 love serve speeds up a bit Jim you were just informing me yeah for Shel our friends at guy show that that third set he's lifted his first serve speeds as your as your eyeballs showed you eyeballed it said it looked like he was hitting it bigger well yeah he was up a good 6 mil an hour on average faster than the opening set and for Ser percentage understandably coming down that's the tradeoff right but the only thing that matters is how often you're holding serve only thing that counts and in that second Seto just was all over right so many breakpoint chances that he had couldn't convert much but Francis had far fewer chances to break so that was a good trade-off for Shelton good adjustment that's what you want to see some logic behind the maneuvering out [Music] here there [Applause] [Applause] almost 403 off the miraculous gay sh one game on four sets [Music] [Music] this tour of course losing Carlos alarz last night Vander sansul he's had a pretty substandard year in truth can you can you just um say that last that Bic V Sun scope can you repeat that for me I heard like 17 different pronunciations of that last night on another [Applause] well you nailed it I love it than you Europeans always have a way with the the languages anything for you JC stop however you say his name he was good I say it the way he says it which is how you say it and he was better than good that's for sure [Applause] see actually when Al plays again because I think he du to play Davis Cup after the next in Valencia ped out of that last year whether a breaks in order potentially what would your advice be for him just to to get away from the courts for a little while or what do you think think he's got a you know he has a high imposed Hiatus now he's off the entire second week of the US Open Spain did you mention this just now they're automatically in the finals of Davis Cup aren't they as the host nation no they're in they have to qualify we the next well he should definitely not play that mhm they've got enough depth to get through he should take that time off for sure misses and we'll um carry that conversation on it's a it's a good thing to chew on and Tao fighting into this four sets Shelton by two sets to one they're all over the place recover to the first volume we into record territory though aren't we Nick in a season we have surpassed 1992 where we had 112 Five Setters in the season and I guess that's just testimony as to how these matches are just getting Tighter and Tighter as the years go by [Music] Marin so small tension here in the service game now at 1530 15 much between these players I mean is up two sets to one but he's won three fewer points than Francis so far today Francis with the advantage of serving first in the set providing the margin was so good n he's got no Pace to work with they had to generate it all himself moving backwards too Robbie just shows you when you've got depth on your shot your ability to get it by your opponents nah Robbie if you play with their rackets you to hit that shot your arm would have fallen off immediately robs watching him [Applause] 403 G Shel three hours just these two to lock horns talking about alcaraz's schedule just dip back in there for one quick second MH so I I if I were running shot for him I wouldn't have him play Davis Cup know that's complicated it's what y CER did last year he ended up leading his team to the title once they qualified without him he' LED them to the title in the final that's what I would lean on if I was alar give him some rest on Carlos Ferrero is so experienced and smart at it and then resurface for La cup it's a great re-entry Point low impact you play two singles matches one doubles match most likely and that can kind of to get you back going for Shanghai right y you got to go you're going to Shanghai Masters 1000 get those matches in in Berlin at La cup and then get on the plane refreshed ready to go finish strong he looked just pred mentally to me watching that match we were talking about it there but just the choices he was making just there was a level of impatience there that a fresher mind might have altered I think the Olympic loss in the silver medal instead of gold really took the wind out of his sales and never really recovered in this North American hardcourt swing M ambushed him on the ice skating rinks of Cincinnati yep 1 and vonas Sun did the same on a slightly slower Court last night but it was more his inability to problem solve because his mind would looked tired yeah that's where Tio has benefited from skipping the Olympics Shelton the same mhm both of those guys had the right to be in Paris by ranking yep both of them bypassed it it almost to a man right everybody has played the Olympics didn't shine the next two weeks and the mon won thousands there is of course a new exhibition taking place as well in the Autumn Saud Arabia six King slam it's the week after Shanghai actually and they're playing for a bit more than a cup of tea that week I think little bit of catch on the line for some of those guys yeah that'll be a big guarantees for everyone so that's low stress though playing an exhibition versus playing for a trophy very very different when ATP points are on the line a three point 14 [Applause] thato leads by three games to two Shelton by two to [Applause] one I look down from above on this cavernous Stadium here inside Arthur rash 15 the people looking forward to this match up when the draw was made hoping that two men would in their first couple of rounds to square off not being disappoint pointed third l [Applause] 1 Dr conditions change court side a bit given the fact we're now into early evening no it's little bit of humidity still around there oh perfect Nick let's come on early just to make the transition from Pure daylight into night seamless haven't felt much change and as I said nick players couldn't ask for better conditions to play their trade that's what I'm talking about show stopping return [Music] 304 I mean it's one thing getting a racket on this ball it's another being able to redirected in the fashion he did quite incredible a big reaction know value of holding on here and the value of sending a message to the other side of the Court given what happened on the previous Point Nick this will be a look at a second Point by m calculations in a quick look that's the most Shelton's ever faced in a major [Applause] matcho looking to convert what a lunging volley that's where all the leg work in the in the gym pays off juice the leg strength to stretch out and get that volley was amazing and what a time for it Advantage you talked about the the serve speed that you picked up on in the third set the the rising access to his Pace a little off speed pitch but in this set Shelton continues to go with the big bomber most 125 on average higher than the fourth third even land what a save What's happen [Music] here okay did the the ball crew member get hit by the ball nearly hit Triple digits on that forehand winner love [Applause] [Applause] 5 it's a good catch didn't have to give it back you're allowed to keep the balls here at the US Open on the Big Show courts they have plenty of spares hanging around it's good souvenir if you like one some research been done wasn't there by the ATP I don't know where we're at with that of trying to make this ball a bit more uniform that seems to have quiet down a little bit that of late but yeah some people might not know n the folks at home the men and women play with a different type of Wilson ball the men play with what's called extra Duty and the women play with regular Duty slightly lighter it's due to the thickness of the felt 14 [Applause] it lat in the and he's asking for a bit more love here he's not going anywhere he fed last year in the fourth he's got other ideas here off sets Shon by two sets to one oh man welld deserved Nick good lucky every now and again right just keep it quiet we look we look forward to getting invited over for tea [Applause] once again slice of Rich quality from Shelton it's almost seems like it's burrowing into the court it's staying so low [Applause] the shot selection there isn't he we got our answer early in this set though TFO is not giving any quarter in this fourth set he's not going to go quietly into the good night like he did last year in the fourth set against Shelton he is Raging out here Sous pass just love the soft skills on display and that RAR we know that these guys have got plenty of power the old school slice and dip across Court it wasn't about Pace it was about beating him with with shape and angle good tennis from both 14 G sh first of the set for Shelton excuse me a second is up to 17 and now you're always front running stats you're just too quick for the stat machine phal let's go oh he looks like he's enjoying himself doesn't he B he's got a really nice way about him many people know him as the the coach at won the NCAA championships with Florida but he also is the only coach in NCAA history to also won it on the woman's side he won that with Georgia Tech did Brian little quick story Robie as he don't want to get in the way of This Magnificent match but when he was a Georgia Tech he recruited Susanna lingman who is now Susanna Courier my wife nearly went to play college tennis for him cool story she followed her brother who was playing tennis at another school instead and sometimes wonders what would happen if she went [Applause] there is he okay y he's all good all right there's more worried about the ball kit okay little fist bump there it's nice of him to put francis's water bottle back in place too how fly that was though wasn't it he just comes sliding into the area right where the ball kit is right there game TF for a out of that game Tio if he can find a way to break here we send this into a with 3 hour 20 minutes in sh much but if I were in the night crew might be cheering for Shelton to finish it before 700 p.m match looks like it might be a little delayed Y and it will be if this goes five love [Applause] Z four oh [Music] love the team [Applause] 15 touching decent contact on the return not quite good enough can you believe it 154 couple of gifts thank you and a couple of set points 30 putting [Applause] what a second delivery what a Topsy Turvy game for Ben Shelton three unforced errors putting him in a hole 1540 and then delivering the goods to get back to deuce TFO has had four breakpoint chances to set 0 for four does he get to face one on his own serve gets one more look at it ad ponti TFO [Applause] would you know these two continue to push each we're down to a one set shootout third major this year 59 are five Setters here at the open Shelton's only played one before this is francis's seventh [Music] the last time play was on this court that defeat to alcarez in the semis two years ago what an atmosphere it was that night not being too many better than that [Music] 4 love what a difference when Frances gets a bit of rord hit speed through his back in that's about as good sty to the Fai as he could have wished for and that'll put a peping your step nice game J I don't if you remember the conversation we once had about serving first second yep in a fifth set and must have a subscriber there's a comfort level in lead with the lead right so if you serve first as long as you're holding serve it it just feels better you don't have to serve to stay in a match right you you you don't have that type of pressure but really the numbers show that it doesn't matter much Ser second if you do the Deep dive they they've won more you still have to break serve once or you got to take it in a breaker so it's all about perspective but there's no question that if you just pull the playing group every single one that I've ever talked you about it y prefer to serve first because it just feels more comfortable and that's men's tennis it may not be the same in women's tennis where breaks of serve happen more frequently you something about you actually didn't mind serving after the sit down well there's that piece too right but that that's related to the physical challenge of a a long match when you need energy and so if you're serving after a sit down you get 90 seconds to rest and relax and spend as much energy as you need to hold Ser Y and if you hold easily and this is if you're really tired right you're you're trying to conserve energy and just hang on and spin fuel as required to get to the Finish you desire if you hold quickly then you can spend some energy trying to break and if you don't you can just tank the game save energy and get some extra rest before you serve again 14 but that's not your choice necessarily it's just just a matter of you deal with it as it comes but does that make sense did I explain it right yes you did okay few conversations with Robbie Nick over the years it's hard to keep tell me about it g two very Str strong holes how about holding with just one first sh there that's got to be a confidence Bo on the back can return go get quick come on let's do it no rhythm let's go B work the middle crowd's just ascending into their seats after that game so a little bit of a and here we [Music] go [Applause] love 15 no wait please wait please [Music] we there's some Wildlife fil Robie jump out of your seat and go grab that tell you what maybe the single-handed back hand is an option for Ben after all whatat to that thing are just lost a piece of the audience though when Robbie's from they barbecue that thing pretty quickly as well Jim they do this was just enough wasn't it to force too to go through a bit much 15 1 don't have play out right there what a good net player is able to do with his movement if you cover the right space you're able to force an error from your opponent francis's team Jordy arada telling him if you don't have a play go right at him with the passing shot what the construction at that point and it all started with the return of serve remember there was a maybe a game in the second set where he just teed off 1530 return that was so well controlled That's Heavy for not looking to to win the point but just neutralize it all the pressures on TFO it's just so simple yet so effective from Shelton there Shelton's only faced he's only achieved five break points but he's converted three of them so far here's number six in the match 1 tfo's had 20 break point chances only been able to convert four but Shelton has been awesome just like Francis was there yeah a Moment of Truth yeah sorry Jim that was only just shy of's quickest serve of the evening [Applause] ju happy with that shot selection J yep not uh trying to go through the middle that hard probably not the right one some done by like the place there wasn't he Advantage T mil hour it's one of the features of tfo's serve there's such a big difference between his first serve average in his second serve which is among the slowest second serves in men's tennis but a lot of kick to it that's why Shelton can stand back in this ad court and then still have time to move around and get forehand very often on these second serve returns big time and it's a big lose for him as well final beverage options and so many fun things to do is you buy your time to get in to watch the goat jovic and sabalenka both on deck tonight first things first to fifth set here [Applause] love for Te 59 a bit more work on that serve wasn't it just to try and get it moving away from his fellow American did a good job of it 15 1 [Applause] just took a slightly a cut at that forehand ended up catching it late so happy to be in the rally I think Francis wanted to take the opportunity hello slow to react to the quality of the return into the space oh and how decisive that could prove to be not sure what else you want if you're a tennis fan than this incredible movement athleticism and a big emphatic finger in the air after he sticks that volley away look at his girlfriend can barely watch and rally and the mom Alina and girlfriend I up oh they're living and dying with him ready for play thank you [Music] feeling sorry for but that was one of his best of the evening ooh took a big lash at that and then a big tumble afterwards need to see that on replay to see exactly what went down and how he went down one wasn't expecting this for him TFO doesn't often hit it and he went to slide afterwards let's let's take a look here this should give us an idea y he's okay that'll hurt your feelings more than your body Robbie that was right in your lap did you catch that yeah there was a kiwi sitting in front of me let me down his Percy Mian not speaking All Blacks playing the spring box tomorrow at the rally break just been given which obviously are a very small part of this match but 27 rallies who had over n Jim F 21 that's phenomenal hit rate don't often see that discrepancy perhaps the little more veteran able to stay in those rallies longer firmly in front now he might just be staying in this tournament longer as well he is two games away taking out last year's semi-finalist for the Leander an adrenaline fueled forehead perhaps with a touch of frustration thir go too many first serves being landed from Shelton's perspective in this [Music] fifth making him work so hard right now isn't he for everything as well the unforced a account just two from TIAA in five and a games in this [Music] set [Applause] 14 time on the clock nearing four hours of play you wonder if the the legs of Shelton are feeling fresh sometimes that can contribute to a lower first serve percentage too he uses his legs just about as much as anyone in men's tennis to really add speed to his serve okay you stay up Ono leads by four games to two final set be ready for the for let's go go Dad pushing him to stand in on second serves gab ataria his strength and conditioning coach adding encouragement just next to his mom Lisa of course has to miss for serves for that tactic to be deployed third meeting between these two here last year at the US Open finals of Houston this year both won by Shelton and both competitive Affairs which is exactly what we have witnessed here today that touchable three on the track we get a clean sweep of first serves here in the step of B perhaps the biggest of this season so far he's up 52 difo leads by five games to two final set love team feel losing a bit of patience losing his grip on this match these last two he had to earn nearly every single point TFO has given him so few unforced errors in the fourth and fifth this set only two unforced errors he's been vacuum [Applause] [Music] packed just the only Shame about this match is that it's a third round match and not a quarterfinal like it was last year y it's a shame one of these guys is going to get put out of this tournament this early because this level of tennis would have taken both of them a long way way if they'd avoided each other 14 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] 143 vaporized that one Sears the Baseline keep those arms nice and loose in case you have to serve it out as heading to our number five TFO leads by five games to three step up thank you such an intelligent passing shot from B love fa an aggressive shot to a big Target didn't over complicated did he rob Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication Nick it's a huge opening [Applause] Point 15 on [Applause] cool as you like second time round [Applause] 14 15 thank you two match points for Francis TIAA [Music] [Applause] guys just want a little bit more put that one on a platter for Shelton to finish but one more Match Point still on the line ready for res sets to two 46 75 67 64 63 and the warmest of in places because TI has turned the tables and shot inside off he's ping it again and he's through to the last 16 all the pain from last year turned into pleasure tonight for Tio a loss to Shelton in the quarterfinals last year seemed to gut him seemed to Rob him of enthusiasm for the sport for some time oh tears in her eyes an absolute joy in the players box and on court with Francis TFO that gentleman was a phenomenal performance Ben Shelton did not give that to him TFO had to dig deep and take it and what about the sneak attack on Match Point he just appeared at the net out of thin air and hit the silkiest of drop voles to win it but what what a contest what a player Shelton is and what a moment between the two of them gosh I really want to know what Shelton held him at the net to make sure he communicated I wonder if it wasn't hey if you're beating me you better be looking this trophy in a couple of weeks time been along those lines didn't it and we will get a little more information on that I'm sure in coming hours Shelton departs we look forward to seeing him again in the near future he is a guy who turns heads in this sport we are all the better for it that's it from him Chris Eubanks is asking the question fris when we spoke a few days ago we made him very clear that when you saw the draw you wanted this matchup you got this matchup and you made the most of this matchup what is it about your match up with Ben that makes such incredible tennis well first off I got to say Ben Ben's an incredible player man he's incredible player he really is he he goes for all kinds of shots he's got no care in the world it's really annoying um he's got he's got a great serve and he has great energy out here um but yeah I mean he's really talented he can come up with great shots so can I we both move really well um so I mean it gets you know highlight after highlight and I really hope you guys enjoyed the show uh 4 hours battle all right Francis we're going to stop it there we're going to let you go back and get some rest before I was Battle I think you deserved it ladies and gentlemen Francis TFO yeah when he's playing in this fashion again he's a danger to anybody particularly on this court as Jim was saying this brings the best out of him these sorts of occasions a little subdued last year for much of this year but he's peing again yep that's right he's uh he's certainly gotten himself from the start of this summer boys it looked like the right call for him to skip the Olympics but he has found something finist in Cincinnati now a confident round of 16 participant how far can he go well the draw guyses have not been kind to him it's going to be tough from here certainly is that smile's going to stay on for a while [Applause] though well Gentlemen Just A big thank you from Courtside that was something special to be part of glad I could share it with you boys doesn't get much better than that thanks to you too Rob there'll be a slight delay as Jim was mentioning in terms of what go goes on from here on in because the night session du to start about 5 minutes ago but uh they'll be putting that on hold getting make sure this place is cleaned up ready for what's to come under the lights here he's going to take out W I mean this is fair amount of gear he's got here to sort out by the time Francis organizes all of the gear that's scattered around his chair there the the rest of the crowd may be out of the stadium he might not even sign any autographs cuz they they're getting shoot out quickly in order to get this beautiful Arthur Stadium polished and ready and shiny for the night Crow which is hovering outside anxiously awaiting their turn here is another look at that match point I mean who comes in on that shot who does that Francis tifo that's who and look at his ability to finesse that it doesn't get any better than that fellas yeah half century of net approaches tonight it certainly was a big part of his success wasn't it Jim without doubt he's so capable onwards and upwards for this enigmatic [Music] [Applause] American what a reaction for his significant support Camp he's heading off we will do so shortly as [Applause] well my house possibly who knows it's actually Arthur's but we're not too worried are we Jim we're not it he he can borrow it for a minute that's fine emotional scenes well they they've been on they've been basically his therapists I would imagine his family and friends and girlfriend Mom Dad all of that has he's had a a difficult time since this time last year until just recently 27 unforced in 4 hours and 5 minutes I mean that is keeping things tight yeah about 44 winners to go with it it was very high level from the jump both of these players came with their Aames ready to go and we are all the better for it one of the better matches I've witnessed in person this season that was a lot of fun Nick thanks for the good guidance and Robbie down below pleasure JC we're off to get some dinner I hope you can stay with us because plenty of good tennis here on ash this evening from the United States [Applause] 30 touch touch touch stop [Applause] okay [Applause] T fire [Music] [Applause] tfl second set TFO [Music] [Applause] [Applause] that set Shel [Applause] 15 tfl yes [Applause] [Applause] 7 64 63 go e