Ben Shelton wins another 5-setter to match Dad at Wimbledon: 'We're back, Big Dog!'

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LONDON (AP) — Ben Shelton didn't care much for his father's tennis career while growing up. And his father wasn't keen on discussing it either.

Ben is aware of Bryan's actions from many years ago, and now they both have something in common: reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.

The younger Shelton reached the quarterfinals at the prestigious All England Club for the first time in just his second try. He defeated another powerful left-handed player, Denis Shapovalov, who has previously made it to the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. The match ended with a score of 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 on Saturday. In 1994, the older Shelton also made it to the round of 16 at Wimbledon.

Ben's former tennis instructor at the University of Florida was Bryan. Bryan decided to leave his position over a year ago to spend more time with his child. Despite no longer coaching Ben, Bryan was still present at No. 1 Court, providing advice and support from the stands.

After the game was finished, Ben called out, "We're back, Big Dog!"

"He's not the type of person who enjoys discussing himself. So when I was younger, he didn't offer up much information about his career. I was focused on other sports and had no interest in tennis or his past as a player. It wasn't a topic we discussed," revealed Ben, a player who made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Open last year. "But in recent years, since I started competing on the tour, he has shifted to giving me advice based on his experience, rather than just sharing stories."

Hitting powerful serves at speeds of up to 140 mph (225 kph), matching the fastest of any player in the tournament so far, he managed to win his third consecutive five-set match. The 14th-seeded Shelton has become the first man to achieve this at Wimbledon since Ernests Gulbis; no player has ever won four matches in a row in five sets at any major event in the Open era, which started in 1968.

"I am incredibly proud of Ben and his achievements at this amazing place. 30 years ago, reaching the 4th round was a big deal for me, so I'm not shocked that Ben has already reached that milestone. He seems determined to surpass me in every way," Bryan shared in a text to the AP. "What impresses me the most is how he handles these tough 5-set matches. Seeing him out on the court, smiling and enjoying himself on such a big stage is truly inspiring. It's wonderful to see him showcase his talents and his true character."

Shelton, who is 21 years old, stated that he is not fatigued as he prepares for a challenging match on Sunday against the top-ranked Jannik Sinner. This match will determine who advances to the quarterfinals.

Sinner secured a victory in the third round on Friday night. Shelton and Shapovalov had only played five games that day before the rain caused a stoppage in play, which resumed on Saturday.

"He appeared to be in good shape and not tired at all," stated Shapovalov, who made it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2021.

At Wimbledon this year, there have been a total of 33 matches that have gone to five sets, which is the highest number for any major tournament this far into the competition.

Shapovalov attributed this to the abundance of talent throughout the tour and the scarcity of grass-court specialists. Shelton expressed his enthusiasm for matches that are able to last for an extended period of time.

"I really enjoy playing five-set matches for several reasons. The prolonged duration of the match is a great physical challenge. You need to be in top shape and ready to endure the long battle on the court," he explained. "Moreover, the extended time allows players to make necessary adjustments. It's not easy to simply dominate your opponent in a quick match. You must constantly analyze the game and adapt to your opponent's tactics as they make changes and start to find their rhythm."

There will be various difficulties to overcome when facing Sinner.

However, Shelton is skilled at serving different types of shots, including a tricky kick serve that can be challenging for opponents.

"I'm pleased with the progress I have made, but there is still more work to be done," he stated.