Ben Shelton at Indian Wells: Pure power against Opelka and a worry off the court
The California desert is already shaking. And it's not because of an earthquake, but because of the cannonball serves Ben Shelton and Reilly Opelka are set to unleash this Friday in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open. The young left-hander from Florida, one of the biggest prospects in world tennis, takes on the American giant in a duel that promises fireworks from the baseline... or rather, from the service line. Because when these two connect, the ball travels at lightning speed and returns become an act of faith.
Shelton arrives at Indian Wells after a solid start to the year, albeit with some ups and downs. We saw him put in the hard yards at the Australian Open, and just a few weeks ago he pulled off a massive win against Aslan Karatsev in a final that's still ringing in fans' ears. But watch out, because the Russian isn't the only one who's felt Shelton's power lately. There's a name starting to make some serious noise on the tour: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The Frenchman, another one of the new serving monsters, could cross paths with the American if both get past their first hurdles. It would be a clash of rising stars that would delight fans of high-voltage tennis. But first, he has to get past Opelka, and that's no walk in the park.
A huge heart off the court
However, it hasn't all been about fast balls and winners for Shelton these days. Hours before stepping onto the desert court, the world learned a story that shows the most human side of the world No. 14. It turns out a group of the tennis player's friends got stranded by the severe storms hitting the southern United States, and Shelton, far from focusing solely on his match, has been visibly worried about them. "I'm in constant contact with them, it's a tough situation. They're like family to me," he mentioned during practice yesterday. These kinds of details, which don't show up in the stats, are what make you connect with a player beyond his backhand or serve.
And speaking of connecting, there's a side of Shelton that few know about that helps him relax in moments of high tension: music. I can't hear you, I'm listening to Brett Young could well be the American's motto when he puts on his headphones before matches. The country singer is one of his favourites, and it's not unusual to see him humming one of his songs in the locker room. In fact, some say his footwork rhythm on the court has a bit of a Southern twang to it. Could it be the key to breaking Opelka's serve? We'll have to wait and see.
Key match-ups: A clash of titans
Let's break down what's in store for us at Stadium 1. This isn't your typical tennis match; it's a perfect storm of serves and flat shots. Here's what will define the encounter:
- Opelka's serve: Standing at 2.11m, his serves are missiles. Shelton will have to guess and hope. If the big man is on form, we could be looking at a lot of tie-breaks.
- Shelton's explosiveness: The lefty doesn't just serve big; he moves like a cat. His open-stance forehand can do serious damage if he manages to get some deep returns.
- The mental factor: Shelton comes in with the worry about his friends, but also with the maturity of someone who's played in big matches before. Opelka, on the other hand, is coming back from injuries and looking to regain his best form.
Those who predict this kind of match-up (and I include myself) know that long rallies will be scarce. It'll be a duel of winners, aces, and the occasional serve topping 230 km/h. If I had to put my neck on the line, I'd say Ben Shelton has a slight edge thanks to his greater consistency from the baseline. But Opelka, when he's inspired, can take down anyone. What's for sure is that at Indian Wells, the show is guaranteed. And in the meantime, Shelton, with Brett Young's music in his head and his friends in his heart, will try to take another step forward in his career. Hold on tight, it's going to be a wild ride.