ATP Tour

How Shelton can crack Top 5, chase down Fritz for American No. 1

Ben Shelton is one win from another PIF ATP Rankings milestone.

If the big-serving American defeats Alexander Zverev in the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals, he will crack the Top 5 for the first time and join No. 4 Taylor Fritz as the first pair of American men in the Top 5 since No. 3 Andy Roddick and No. 5 Andre Agassi in the week of 14 November 2005.

PIF ATP Live Rankings (entering Cincinnati QFs)

Shelton began the season outside the Top 20 and until 16 June, he had not reached the Top 10. But following his maiden ATP Masters 1000 triumph in Toronto and another deep run in Cincinnati, he is continuing his surge towards the top of the sport.

The 22-year-old is trying to become the first player to complete the Canada-Cincinnati Masters 1000 sweep since Rafael Nadal in 2013. He is three victories from achieving the feat.

If Shelton defeats Zverev, he will become the first left-handed American in the Top 5 since John McEnroe was No. 5 in March 1990. Before McEnroe, Jimmy Connors was No. 5 as recently as July 1988.

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With a Cincinnati title, Shelton would also move closer to challenging Fritz for American No. 1 status. If the lefty emerges victorious in Ohio, he would pull to within 495 points of his countryman.

That gap is not as big as it seems, because 2024 US Open finalist Fritz will defend 1,300 points at Flushing Meadows. Shelton lost to Frances Tiafoe in the third round of the season's final major in 2024, so he will only defend 100 points at the US Open.

Did You Know?
Shelton owns a 35-16 tour-level record and is into his third Masters 1000 quarter-final of the season.