Ben Shelton Bested By David Goffin At Rolex Shanghai Masters

Well, that comeback didn’t quite go as planned. Ben Shelton, after a five-week siesta nursing a bum shoulder from the US Open, made his grand return at the Shanghai Masters only to get bounced in the second round. Talk about a rude awakening.

David Goffin, the 34-year-old Belgian, was the designated party pooper, handing the No. 6 seed a swift 6-2, 6-4 exit. For Shelton, it felt less like a tennis match and more like a trip to the dentist.

Shelton’s ATP Finals Dream Takes a Hit

Coming into Shanghai, Shelton was feeling pretty good about his chances to punch a ticket to the ATP Finals in Turin. He was sitting pretty at sixth in the points race, a spot he’d never been in this late in the year. “Hopefully I get a couple more good results and get over the line,” Shelton said to the ATP Tour website, full of the kind of optimism that only a 22-year-old can muster.

Unfortunately, Goffin had other ideas. This loss is a gut punch to those Turin ambitions. While it is not a knockout blow, it definitely stings. The road to the finals just got a whole lot bumpier, and now Shelton will be nervously peeking over his shoulder as the rest of the pack tries to close the gap.

How the Match Unfolded For Shelton

From the get-go, things felt off for Shelton. He looked rusty, like a classic car that’s been sitting in the garage too long. He managed to win a measly 13 points against Goffin’s serve all match and couldn’t convert a single one of his three break-point chances. You can’t win tennis matches if you can’t break serve; that’s just Tennis 101.

A brief rain delay offered a glimmer of hope, a chance to reset. But nope. Right after they came back on court, Goffin broke Shelton’s serve and pretty much sealed the deal. It was a clinical performance from the veteran, who hit 19 winners to just 11 unforced errors. He was playing chess while Shelton was playing checkers.

For Goffin, this was a much-needed win. He’s been battling his own injury demons, losing 10 of his last 14 matches. “I needed that kind of match,” he said afterward, looking relieved. “I was struggling…with my confidence as well, but now I think everything sticks together in this tournament.” You love to see a guy find his groove, even if it comes at the expense of our American hopeful.

For Shelton, it is back to the drawing board. He’s got the talent, the swagger, and a cannon for a serve. But today was a reminder that in the world of professional tennis, taking time off can be brutal. Rust is real, and shaking it off against a seasoned pro like Goffin is a tall order. He’ll be back, no doubt, but this one’s gonna leave a mark.