Shelton Overpowers Humbert in Lefties’ Clash
Ben Shelton turned Rod Laver Arena into his domain, dismantling fellow lefty Ugo Humbert with a barrage of aces and unyielding first serves at the Australian Open. The American’s straight-sets win signals he’s primed to chase deeper runs in Melbourne.
Ben Shelton stepped into Rod Laver Arena carrying the echo of his 2025 semifinal run, but this time the No. 7 seed faced a mirror in Ugo Humbert, another left-hander buzzing from an Adelaide final. The battle twisted through southpaw angles, Shelton’s heavy topspin pulling wide before he snapped inside-out forehands to claim the first set 6-3. Over two hours and 37 minutes, he fired 15 aces and pocketed 78 percent—56 of 72—points on his first serve, a fortress that Humbert’s returns couldn’t breach.
Now 12-3 at the Australian Open, the 23-year-old American eyes a second-round test against Gael Monfils or home qualifier Dane Sweeny, his confidence sharpened by this opener that felt more like a statement than a warmup.
BIG BEN STRIKES AGAIN
Shelton eases past Humbert 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-6(5)#AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/DuEpZE2fXn— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 20, 2026
Lefty spin disrupts the rhythm
Shelton‘s 1–2 pattern—big serve slicing down the line into aggressive approaches—tilted the tiebreaks his way, the second at 7-6(2) and third at 7-6(5), where Humbert‘s flat drives found the net under mounting pressure. The Frenchman’s crosscourt backhands probed early, but the American’s underspin slices drew him forward, forcing errors on the Plexicushion’s true bounce. In a matchup where lefty geometry usually evens the odds, Shelton’s adjustments made the court feel narrower for his opponent, turning potential breaks into holds that built arena momentum.
The crowd’s hum swelled with each ace, a rhythmic pulse that fed his poise, reminding everyone why Melbourne suits his explosive game. This win not only halts Humbert’s climb but positions Shelton to lock in top-eight security if he navigates the draw’s early traps.
Italians advance through grit and fortune
Across Melbourne Park, Lorenzo Musetti steadied after dropping the opener to Raphael Collignon, taking the next two sets 7-6(3), 7-5 before the Belgian retired at 3-2 in the fourth, their first head-to-head cut short. The No. 5 Italian’s fluid backhand drops and topspin forehands kept the pressure on, a blend that now sets up an all-Italian duel with Lorenzo Sonego, who cruised past Carlos Taberner 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 on relentless crosscourt drives.
Meanwhile, 22nd seed Luciano Darderi etched his name into Australian Open lore with a maiden main-draw victory, grinding out Cristian Garin 7-6(5), 7-5, 7-6(3) through varied paces and net rushes that disrupted the Chilean’s baseline rhythm. These results layer Italy’s presence in the bracket, where tactical shifts from clay to hard-court speed test their adaptability early.
Musetti’s composure amid the abrupt end hints at mental edges that could carry him far, while Sonego’s dominance and Darderi’s breakthrough fuel national intrigue heading into round two.
Baez endures in epic size mismatch
Sebastian Baez arrived hot off a 3-0 United Cup singles sweep and Auckland final, but his first-rounder against 6’7” Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard turned into a five-set war of attrition, the 5’7” Argentine absorbing 30 aces before closing 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3. Low slices stayed glued to the surface, neutralizing the big man’s power in prolonged rallies, while precise crosscourts and lobs preserved his lead through the comeback surge.
Improving to 8-1 for 2026, Baez climbs two spots to No. 34 in the live rankings, his resilience on these quicker hard courts turning physical mismatches into psychological triumphs. Facing Darderi next, he carries that fire, a reminder that Melbourne rewards those who bend but don’t break.
As January 20, 2026, fades, these openers reveal a draw alive with lefty tactics and underdog fire, setting Shelton and the survivors on paths that could redefine their seasons.
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