Despite a strong start to the year with a semi-final appearance at the Australian Open, American tennis player Ben Shelton continues to struggle to maintain that momentum. He fell short once again in the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, mirroring a similar early defeat he experienced in Dallas.
Shelton faced a formidable opponent in the form of Belgian veteran David Goffin during the second round. Goffin, who seems to be rediscovering his form, delivered an impressive performance, securing a 7-6, 6-3 victory over the American in a match that lasted an hour and 45 minutes.
The contest saw Goffin, a seasoned player, take control from the onset. His expertise was evident as he broke Shelton’s resistance with a double break in the second set. However, it wasn’t a one-sided affair. Goffin, despite his dominance, lost 16 points from his initial shot and conceded one break from the only chance Shelton had.
As the match progressed, Shelton’s serve faltered, especially during the critical closing stages of the second set. This resulted in his exit from the competition. Goffin, on the other hand, showcased a balance of aggression and strategy. He landed 18 winners and committed 25 unforced errors, while capitalizing on 33 mistakes from Shelton.
Goffin’s ability to tame his strokes better than his opponent gave him the edge in the match. His prowess from the baseline, coupled with his strong serving in the first set, put him in a commanding position.
The match saw a volley of impressive plays, including a moment in the seventh game when Shelton found himself 30-0 down at 4-4. Goffin demonstrated his serving prowess, clinching four straight points to keep himself in the lead.
The first set culminated in a tense tie-break, initiated by Goffin. After causing an error from Shelton in the first point, he built a mini-break and took a 3-0 lead with an unreturned serve. Despite falling behind 5-2, Shelton showed his resilience but was unable to turn the tide in his favor.
In the second set, Goffin continued to maintain his dominance. The first break points of the duel came in the sixth game, where Shelton managed to fend off two but succumbed to the third due to a careless forehand.
Shelton managed to claw back in the seventh game, generating three break points and seizing the first after a backhand error from Goffin. However, he was unable to capitalize on this opportunity, facing further setbacks at 3-4.
Goffin, not one to miss a chance, capitalized on Shelton’s difficulties. He seized his fifth set point with a forehand winner, advancing to a 5-3 lead. The match concluded with Goffin serving for the win and securing the match point with a powerful serve.
Goffin’s victory over Shelton marks his first Top 20 win of 2025, and he did so with flair and style. He now moves on to the quarter-finals of the ATP Acapulco, leaving a struggling Shelton to reflect on his performance.