US OPEN

September 5, 2026

Ben Shelton

Quick Quotes

B. SHELTON/D. Shapovalov

7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4

Q. This the latest you have ever been done. How does it feel to be playing this level of tennis at 2:00 a.m.?

BEN SHELTON: Just honestly happy -- is that what it is, 2:00?

Q. 2:15.

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, not easy my first time experiencing playing this late, but yeah, glad to be through to the round of 16.

Q. There were a ton of mental errors, understandably, from both of you earlier. What was going on the first couple of sets?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, no, I think it's tough. We waited around for three hours, and when we thought that them putting doubles there would maybe just be an hour. So I think that was hard to deal with, you know, for me.

The first set was rough, and then serving for it twice in the second, giving that up, is just unacceptable.

But yeah, not an easy night. Nowhere near my best. Yeah, I got through it.

Q. When you were able to start playing more of your game in the third, was that you just settling in, or did you make some adjustments there?

BEN SHELTON: I think I just settled in. I think the anger fueled me a little bit. I think also just accepting where I was at, the things that I did have, what I needed to do to win, that I not try and play outside my limits.

Q. Tough first week. You got through Griekspoor, Hurkacz, Shapovalov. How good do you feel sort of being battle-tested, or maybe you wish it had been easier?

BEN SHELTON: No, no, no, not at all. I think this is a great way to start the tournament in terms of variety. You know, I have dealt with a lefty, dealt with a big hitter, dealt with a feel guy, dealt with a massive server, dealt with a spot server, serve and volleyer.

I feel well prepared for what's ahead and just looking forward to get another opportunity out there.

Q. Up ahead next is Tsitsipas. Your thoughts on his resurgence and what it will be like playing him?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I have been watching his matches. I think he's playing great. I think that his style of tennis can be very, very effective on all surfaces, all-court game, great athlete.

We played once my first year on tour. Really looking forward to it.

Q. Serve's hitting big. You hit 148 this week. I notice a little extra cupping on the arm. Is there a little tension going on, or are you feeling good?

BEN SHELTON: No, feeling good. More precautionary. I think through a slam you're going to deal with stuff from day to day, match to match. It's all about managing. Top guys are the best at managing and finding ways through.

For me, I think an important piece is proactively taking care of my shoulder versus going into panic mode after something happens, and also, with the way that I serve, not doing too much.

Q. I'm a little scared to ask, but if it's 2:20 now, what time will you go to bed?

BEN SHELTON: 5:00, earliest (smiling).