Shelton grinds past Comesana in Auckland opener
Eighth seed Ben Shelton battles through first-set tension to defeat Francisco Comesana 7-5, 6-4, shaking off seasonal rust ahead of the Australian Open.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Eighth-ranked Ben Shelton stepped onto the court Wednesday for his 2026 debut, the humid air thick with the promise of a new season. Facing Francisco Comesana in the second round of this ATP 250 event, the top seed relied on his booming lefty serve to secure a 7-5, 6-4 victory in 1 hour, 42 minutes. it’s the fourth straight year Shelton has chosen Auckland as his hard-court launchpad, a deliberate warmup for the Australian Open starting Sunday in Melbourne.
Shelton’s game carried echoes of inactivity early on, with Comesana, ranked 68th, pressing a break point in the American’s opening service game. The Argentine’s flat baseline returns tested Shelton’s rhythm, forcing him to shorten his second-serve swing and mix in slice to regain control. Yet the lefty’s power surfaced in 12 aces and 78% of first-serve points won, turning potential wobbles into steady holds.
“I feel great, knocked off a little bit of rust but just feel great to be back playing, back competing,” Shelton said. “I think it’s great when you get to play a competitive match, feel the tension at certain points of the match and then obviously get a win and give yourself the opportunity to play again.”
Saved set point flips the script
The first set hung in the balance at 5-4, Comesana holding a set point as Shelton approached the net, leaving the backcourt open. The Argentine’s backhand down-the-line shot sailed long, a crucial overhit that silenced the sparse crowd and sparked Shelton’s surge. He held for 6-5, then broke with a deep crosscourt return that forced an error, claiming the set after 1 hour, 29 minutes.
This pivot wasn’t mere luck; it reflected Shelton’s growing assurance under pressure, his father and coach Brian Shelton watching intently from courtside alongside partner Trinity Rodman, the U.S. women’s soccer star. The escape infused the match with momentum, transforming early jitters into focused aggression. Comesana’s resistance faded as Shelton’s one–two pattern—serve followed by an inside-out forehand—began to dominate rallies.
Second-set break builds assurance
Shelton carried the energy into the second set, breaking Comesana right away with a sharp inside-in forehand that hugged the line and pinned the Argentine wide. He defended the lead without facing another break point, blending heavy topspin groundstrokes with occasional net rushes to disrupt Comesana’s steady returns. The hard court’s medium pace suited Shelton’s adjustments, rewarding his aggressive first-strike tennis over the Argentine’s counterpunching.
Auckland’s plexicushion surface, grippier than Melbourne’s DecoTurf, demanded topspin tolerance that Comesana couldn’t fully exploit, allowing Shelton to transition faster from defense to offense. The victory propels him into the quarterfinals, a vital step in honing match toughness before the majors intensify. With family support amplifying the personal stakes, this hard-won win eases the psychological weight of a ranking-climbing year.
Melbourne momentum takes shape
Shelton’s choice of Auckland underscores a strategic build, prioritizing competitive reps over flawless starts amid a packed calendar. The tension of deuces and saved points sharpened his edge, much like the aces that boomed across the court under summer sun. As the eighth-ranked American eyes a strong Australian Open seed, this opener recalibrates his lefty serve-volley combo for deeper runs.
Comesana’s early holds—about 70% until the breaks—forced Shelton to elevate, a pattern that could define his Grand Slam campaign. The quarterfinals await, testing sustained precision against fresh opponents on similar hard courts. Channeling this resilience, Shelton positions himself to strike boldly in Melbourne’s spotlight.