World no. 13 Ben Shelton made a winning start in front of the home fans in Dallas. The 4th seed took down Aleksandar Vukic 6-3, 6-3 in 63 minutes, playing well and sailing into the next round. Shelton played his first match since the Australian Open semi-final.
A left-hander dropped only three points behind the first serve and kept the second serve safe to avoid break points. Vukic gave away 40% of the points in his games and got broken three times from four chances presented to the home favorite.
Ben fired 20 winners and 15 unforced errors. He outplayed his rival from the baseline and performed well at the net to control the scoreboard. The American provided five comfortable holds in the opener and kept the pressure on the other side.
The 4th seed held at 30 in the first game of the encounter and landed an ace two games later for 2-1. Aleksandar followed that pace and produced a hold at love in game six to lock the result at 3-3. A left-hander secured the seventh game with a service winner.
Shelton made a push on the return at 4-3 and secured a break after Vukic's wayward forehand, opening a 5-3 gap and serving for the opener in game nine. The American held at love and wrapped up the first part of the duel in 27 minutes.
The 4th seed provided four good holds in the second set and pressured his opponent. Aleksandar missed a volley in the first game, losing serve and falling a set and a break behind. Ben delivered two holds at love and built a 3-1 advantage.
The Aussie recovered his game after the break he suffered, providing three fine holds and remaining in touch. Aleksandar reached a deuce on the return in the eighth game before spraying errors to propel his opponent 5-3 in front.
The Americanmade another push on the return in game nine and converted a match point with a smash winner at the net, sealing the deal and moving through.
