Ben Shelton made a strong return to the hard courts in the United States with an impressive win against Mackenzie McDonald at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. The fourth seed won 6-3, 6-4 without facing a break point, hitting nine aces and losing only seven service points in a 75-minute match.
“It’s really important, I think just [with] where I want my match count to be going into the US Open, to start off strong here and be playing again on Thursday and get myself a chance to have a second match,” Shelton said.
Shelton is ranked No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings and is competing for his first Washington title and ATP Tour trophy of the season. He will face Gabriel Diallo next.
Cameron Norrie also advanced by defeating second seed Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. “I had to really get fired up at some moments and it was all happening very quickly,” Norrie commented on his victory.
Daniel Evans achieved an upset as well by winning against Alex Michelsen with scores of 6-4, 6-4.