Ben Shelton on Tiafoe: What’s Scary for the ATP Tour
# Ben Shelton Reveals What makes Frances Tiafoe “Scary” for ATP Tour rivals
American tennis sensation Ben Shelton has opened up about the formidable aspects of his compatriot Frances Tiafoe’s game, highlighting specific elements that he believes make Tiafoe a daunting opponent for anyone on the ATP Tour. Shelton’s insights offer a unique outlook on Tiafoe’s strengths, notably in the context of their recent encounters.
## Shelton’s High Praise for Tiafoe’s Aggressive Game
Shelton, known for his own powerful and aggressive style, was particularly impressed with Tiafoe’s ability to dictate play and put opponents on the defensive. He elaborated on how Tiafoe’s strategic approach, especially on second serves, forces adversaries into uncomfortable situations.
“He’s got a really aggressive brand of serving, and then he’s willing to take chances on the return of serve, and he executed a lot,” Shelton explained. “So I think that combination was kind of tough to deal with in these conditions.”
### The Impact of Tiafoe’s Second Serve Strategy
A key takeaway from Shelton’s analysis is Tiafoe’s effective use of his second serve. Instead of playing it safe,Tiafoe often employs a more aggressive second serve,which can disrupt an opponent’s rhythm and set up advantageous court positioning.”He’s really good at taking second serves and making you feel like you’re on the back foot, taking a second serve and coming to the net,” Shelton noted. This aggressive tactic,coupled with his willingness to attack returns,creates a challenging dynamic for opponents.
### Shelton’s Personal Success Against Tiafoe
Despite acknowledging Tiafoe’s strengths, Shelton also revealed a personal success metric in their recent matches. “My winning percentage on second serve was probably the highest that it’s ever been against him,” he shared,indicating a strategic advantage he found in their latest encounters. This suggests Shelton has developed effective counter-strategies to Tiafoe’s aggressive play.
## Looking Ahead: A Tough Test Against Davidovich Fokina
Looking forward, Shelton faces a meaningful challenge in his next opponent, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The spanish player has a perfect record against Shelton in their previous meetings, having won both encounters at ATP Masters 1000 events in Monte-Carlo and Paris. This history sets up an intriguing matchup as Shelton aims to overcome this past hurdle.