Ben Shelton’s Wimbledon Campaign Begins
American tennis star Ben Shelton kicked off his 2025 Wimbledon campaign with a confident performance on the No. 2 Court, dispatching Australian Alex Bolt in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. With his powerful serve proving even more formidable on grass, Shelton recorded an impressive average serve speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) and unleashed a blistering fastest serve that hit 236 km/h (147 mph), which tied for the third-fastest serve so far in the tournament.
Match Highlights
Throughout the match, Shelton showcased his serving prowess, cranking out 15 aces compared to Bolt’s seven, while limiting his double-faults to just six. His effectiveness on first serves was evident, winning 78% of them, and he successfully defended one of the two break points he faced.
Upcoming Match
Shelton’s Round 2 encounter will see him take on another Australian, Rinky Hijikata, currently ranked No. 87 in the world. This matchup marks a continuation of his campaign on the grass courts, with the match scheduled as the last of five on the No. 2 Court, likely taking place around 6 to 8 p.m. ET depending on earlier match durations. The two players have met once before at an ATP event, where Shelton triumphed comfortably in Mallorca last year, winning 6-4, 6-0. Their previous encounters in 2022 saw split results, with Hijikata claiming victory in the pair’s first meeting in Orlando and Shelton winning in Indianapolis.
Predictions and Expectations
The official Wimbledon AI predicts a favorable 69% chance of victory for Shelton against Hijikata, reflecting the expectations placed on a top-10 player.
Season Overview
Looking to solidify his status among the tennis elite, Shelton has made a mark at Grand Slam events this season, reaching the semifinals at the Australian Open and the fourth round at the French Open, each time facing tough competition from elite players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. To ascend to the next level in his career, Shelton knows he must overcome these top-ranked adversaries.
Potentially, if Shelton overcomes Hijikata, he could find himself facing either Gael Monfils or Marton Fucsovics in the next round.
Career Progression
Shelton’s journey in professional tennis has evolved since his 2021 debut. Although he participated in the US Open in both 2021 and 2022, it was not until 2023 that he competed in all four Grand Slam events. After an early exit last year in Wimbledon’s Round of 64 and a notable performance in reaching the Round of 16 in 2024, where he fought through three five-set matches before succumbing to World No. 1 Sinner, Shelton is well aware of the level of competition at this elite level.
With a penchant for excelling on the grand stages, grass courts might be particularly advantageous for his left-handed serve. As Shelton continues his tournament run, fans can stay updated on his journey through social media platforms and news outlets dedicated to tennis coverage.
This report was originally published on Gators Wire: Ben Shelton dominates Alex Bolt in Wimbledon Round 1.
