We are underway at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as Ben Shelton begins his Wimbledon journey on Tuesday with a first-round matchup against Otto Virtanen.
Shelton is the No. 4 seed at the Grand Slam and a heavy favorite against the 140th-ranked Finn. The two have never faced off before, however.
It’s been an up-and-down year for Shelton, who reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and exited the French Open in the second round. He has three titles under his belt this season, all on different surfaces, most recently claiming a championship in Stuttgart on grass.
“Yeah, I feel ready, I feel confident,” Shelton said at the pre-tournament presser. “Obviously, just happy to be here playing at Wimbledon. Great, great tournament and a great tournament for me. So I think it’s a big opportunity at this stage in the year to be playing here. And yeah, just try to take it one match at a time.”
Follow along with Gators Wire for game-by-game coverage of Shelton’s opening match at Wimbledon.
Virtanen holds serve again
Virtanen takes the game with Shelton winning just one point. Shelton forfeited a point after making noise, thinking the point was over. Shelton is already up a game, so he just needs to hold serve anyway. (Set 1: 4-6; Set 2: Shelton 5, Virtanen 3)
Another win to love for Shelton in Set 2
Shelton sends a racquet away before the game. It worked. Shelton wins the game to love. Virtanen goes long twice, and Shelton sends a winner to move a game away from taking the set. (Set 1: 4-6; Set 2: Shelton 5, Virtanen 2)
Virtanen rallies back to hold serve
Shelton takes a 0-30 lead with a forehand winner and a forced error from Virtanen. The Finnish qualifier rallies back with four straight points, all on forced errors. Shelton let that one slip away. His dad gives some advice from the gallery, “Play the volley!” (Set 1: 4-6; Set 2: Shelton 4, Virtanen 2)
Shelton continues dominance in Set 2 service games
Shelton dominates the first two points with his serve, forcing an error on the return and hitting an ace. Virtanen gets a point on a forehand that goes long from Shelton. The former Florida Gator moves to game point, but he can’t finish it off at the net, mishitting a slice. Shelton takes the game after forcing a backhand return and going to the far side of the court with his forehand. Dominant set so far for him. (Set 1: 4-6; Set 2: Shelton 4, Virtanen 1)
Virtanen claims first win of Set 2
Shelton handles the first serve and Virtanen goes long after some movement across the court. Vitanen gives away the second point on a long forehand. Shelton mishits for a forced error to let Virtanen back in it, and then he forces an error on the backhand to set up double break point. Virtanen saves break point with an ace, and Shelton goes long on the return to bring it to deuce.
Another ace gives Virtanen the advantage, but he can’t finish it off with a backhand that goes into the net. A third ace puts Virtanen back to advantage. He hits a backhand long to bring it back to deuce. Virtanen finally takes the game with a forehand winner and a forced error from Shelton. (Set 1: 4-6; Set 2: Shelton 3, Virtanen 1)
Shelton takes 3-0 lead in Set 2
Shelton hits an ace and forces a backhand error for a quick 30-0 lead. He drops his first service point of the set on a forehand before working Virtanen across the court to set up game point. Shelton takes the game and a 3-0 lead with a strong backhand winner at the net. It wasn’t quite a smash, but there was plenty of pace. (Set 1: 4-6; Set 2: Shelton 3, Virtanen 0)
Shelton breaks Virtanen early
Shelton is firing back return shots now. He’s warmed up and ready to make a statement. Virtanen gets one ace by and briefly goes up 30-15, but Shelton forces him to the net for some unsure volleys. A pair of backhand unforced errors give Shelton his first break of the day and an early lead in the set. (Set 1: 4-6; Set 2: Shelton 2, Virtanen 0)
Shelton opens Set 2 with win to love
Shelton doesn’t drop a point to open the second set. The points are quick and Shelton is playing with more intent after the opening set loss. (Set 1: 4-6; Set 2: Shelton 1, Virtanen 0)
Virtanen takes Set 1
Shelton forces an error to go up 0-15 on the second serve. He goes long on the next second serve return, and Virtanen goes up 30-15 with an ace. Shelton finds the net again on forehand that didn’t look too difficult. Virtanen takes the set with another backhand forced error from Shelton. Virtanen is playing with confidence early. (Set 1: Shelton 4, Virtanen 6)
Virtanen claims first break of the day
Shelton goes up 30-0 with a big serve to force an error and a forehand winner. Virtanen responds with back-to-back winners, handling Shelton’s cat-and-mouse bids well. Shelton takes control with a forehand winner and lets out a big “Yes!” Virtanen returns a big serve to force an error and bring the game to deuce.
Virtanen reaches break point with a similar rally, but he can’t convert on the backhand. He breaks a string and switches racquets. Shelton allowed another break point opportunity with a double fault. Back to deuce with a nice forehand crosscourt winner from Shelton. Virtanen lobs one up on a backhand, setting up a Shelton smash to gain advantage. He tries to go up the line on the right but catches the net. Back to deuce.
Virtanen draws an ovation with some great movement to get to the net and a backhand winner. Shelton slips as he faces a third break point in the game. Back to deuce after an extended rally. Shelton forces the error with a short slice to Virtanen’s forehand. Shelton misses the forehand winner and hits the net returning a dropshot.
Shelton finally drops break point with a long forehand. (Set 1: Shelton 4, Virtanen 5)
Both men holding serve
Shelton goes crosscourt on the return rally to go up 0-15. Shelton misplays a backhand that he wanted to hit better to tie things up. Virtanen delivers a big 140mph serve, setting up a winner. Shelton drops the game with back-to-back forced errors. (Set 1: Shelton 4, Virtanen 4)
Shelton wins first game that goes to deuce
Virtanen can’t handle the serve and hits the net on the first point. Shelton goes long to tie it up 15-15. Shelton tries to draw Virtanen to the net, but he comes up short and hits the net, falling behind 15-30. Virtanen hits a nice backhand return, but Shelton drops it in short for the point. He goes up 40-30 with his second ace before failing on another drop shot setup. The game goes to deuce.
Shelton gains an advantage on an unforced error from Virtanen. The Finn looked unsure of what he wanted to do on the point. Virtanen goes long on the return to drop the game. (Set 1: Shelton 4, Virtanen 3)
Virtanen takes game to love
Virtanen hits a nice forehand winner out of reach of Shelton to take the first point. He forces a backhanded error from the second and goes right back to the forehand in the same spot for another winner. Shelton repeats the backhand error to drop the game without a point. (Set 1: Shelton 3, Virtanen 3)
Shelton continues to hold serve comfortably
Shelton opens with a second-serve winner, using a big forehand to get by Virtanen. He goes up 30-0 with his first ace of the day. Viratnen catches Shelton off guard with a nice forehand return. Shelton wins the next point with an extended rally, playing some cat-and-mouse. Virtanen covered ground and hit a tweener through the legs before Shelton spiked it, setting up the final blow. Shelton hits a forehand winner to take the game after winning the first truly contested point of the match. (Set 1: Shelton 3, Virtanen 2)
Both players feeling each other out
Virtanen forces Shelton to go long on the return for an early lead. Shelton hits a cross-court forehand winner to even it at 15-15. Shelton goes up 15-30 with a backhand winner. He’s handling the second serve well. Virtanen recovers with three straight points, forcing a pair of errors from Shelton. (Set 1: Shelton 2, Virtanen 2)
Shelton matching serve speed
Shelton double-faults trying to match Virtane’s big serve. He bounces back with three straight points, hitting a backhand volley winner at the net to go up 30-15. Shelton serves a little bigger, and Virtanen can’t handle it. Virtanen drops the game with an unforced error. (Set 1: Shelton 2, Virtanen 1)
Virtanen serving big early
Virtanen opens with back-to-back aces. He averages 221 km/h with a peak of 226 in his first service game. Shelton avoids losing the game to love thanks to a double fault, but a pair of backhand errors gives Virtanen an easy hold. Shelton is adjusting to the serve. (Set 1: Shelton 1, Virtanen 1)
Shelton holds serve to open match
Shelton… He goes wide for an unforced error to drop the first point before forcing Virtanen to find the net on back-to-back points. Shelton double faults for the first time today, a little long on his second point. He recovers with a nice defensive backhand while playing up near the net to set up a game point. Shelton takes the game, forcing a backhand error. (Set 1: Shelton 1, Virtanen 0)
Ben Shelton arrives to No. 2 Court
Amanda Anisimova won her match in straight sets, and Shelton and Virtanen have taken the court. Shelton wins the toss and elects to serve. Warm-ups are ongoing. The match will start momentarily.
Shelton vs. Virtanen H2H Stats
What time is Shelton vs. Virtanen?
What channel is Shelton vs. Virtanen?
In the United States, ESPN is the home of the All England Club with action available across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, the ESPN App and Disney+.
Wimbledon will be on ESPN starting at 6 a.m. ET on Tuesday, but there’s no guarantee the Shelton match will air in its entirety. Being one of the top Americans, he is likely to make an appearance.
To watch the match all the way through, an ESPN Unlimited subscription is required. Shelton will appear on the No. 2 Court stream.
Ben Shelton Wimbledon History
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Live updates, score from Ben Shelton Round 1 at Wimbledon
Reporting by David Rosenberg, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
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By David Rosenberg, Gators Wire | USA TODAY Network
