Ben Shelton gives America best chance to end Grand Slam drought at 2026 French Open

Ben Shelton shone in first round of 2026 French Open

No. 5-seeded Shelton dispatched Merida Aguilar 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 40 minutes. The former Florida Gators standout hit 27 winners in the match and six aces. He'll face Beligan Raphael Collignon in the second round on Wednesday. 

Shelton is now 37-14 in Grand Slams following his win on Monday. Most of his success has been recent. He has reached the quarterfinal at two of his past three majors.

Just as importantly, Shelton is excelling on clay courts this season. Entering the French Open, he was 7-4 on the surface. One of those victories came in the BMW Open final in Munich on April 19. 

"I think I'm learning more and more every year," Shelton said of his clay-court game in a post-match news conference (h/t the ATP's website). "This is my favorite clay-court tournament, and to be able to be at a Grand Slam playing on a big court like this is a privilege. The French crowd always knows how to bring the energy, and that's part of the reason I play so well here." 

The energy from the French crowd seemed to recharge Shelton after his recent struggles. Now, he's using the newfound pep to try to make another deep run at a Grand Slam.

Expect him to go far. Shelton's resurgence gives him the best chance to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam since 2003 and the first to win the French Open since 1999.