Shelton surging behind 'Big-Point Ben' success

Beyond The Numbers

Shelton surging behind 'Big-Point Ben' success

Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analyses Shelton's performance on break points

Corinne Dubreuil Ben Shelton is up to a career-high No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings. By Andrew Eichenholz

Ben Shelton has been 'Big-Point Ben' in 2025.

The American, who began the season at No. 21 in the PIF ATP Rankings, reached a career-high World No. 6 on Friday following his maiden ATP Masters 1000 triumph in Toronto. According to an Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers analysis, a big reason why has been his success both saving break points and converting them.

Shelton exceeds all of his Top 10 peers except Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in break points saved. He also outperforms his normal return stats to hold his own converting break points, which has allowed him to thrive under pressure.

“I think it’s a mix of me feeling comfortable and confident in my gamestyle in those moments, playing my game and an aggressive style of tennis, and not being afraid to go after it,” Shelton said. “It’s tough when you play a big server, someone who can take the racquet out of your hands at times when you have a break point. You think that it may be your only chance, you get tense.”

The numbers show that Shelton has risen to the occasion. The 22-year-old has one of the biggest serves out there, so naturally he performs well when facing break point.

Shelton has saved 67.1 per cent of break points against him, which is fifth on Tour and third among Top 10 players behind only Sinner (71.1%) and Alcaraz (67.8%). He explained that there is a similarly tense feeling when confronting the prospect of dropping serve.

“If you lose serve, the set can be over like that,” Shelton said, snapping his fingers. “It’s tough. I know that I feel it when I play against the big servers [like] Mpetshi Perricard or Opelka or Diallo, Fritz, any of those guys, they can take the racquet out of your hand, it can be tough. And I’m sure that some guys feel the same when they’re playing against me.”

In 2025, the lefty has converted 41.8 per cent of his break chances, the 13th-best mark among all players on the ATP Tour. That compares favourably to his overall return games won this year, a stat in which he currently ranks 43rd.

The top players in the PIF ATP Rankings generally excel on return. Nine members of the Top 10 are in the Top 25 for return games won this season, putting Shelton well behind. But in break points converted — a key return metric — the American is sixth among Top 10 players, which has made a big difference in his results.

Shelton’s clutch performance has been clear, and it came in handy in Toronto, where he saved 76.9 per cent of the break points he faced, including five of six in the final against Karen Khachanov. The best player at saving break points this season has been Sinner, at 71 per cent.

Shelton sits fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin and is in good position to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. The American will try to maintain his clutch play this week at the Cincinnati Open, where he begins his tournament on Sunday against Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

Click here to read article