This year’s Australian Open quarter finalist Ben Shelton edged past Constant Lestienne 7-5 7-5 in 95 minutes in his first professional match on red clay to reach the second round at the Millennium Estoril Open.
The World number 39 played two ITF World Tennis Tour events on green clay in 2021 but had competed on hard courts on the ATP Tour and on the ATP Challenger Tour.
Shelton earned a break in the 11th game to win the first set 7-5. The US Next Gen player started the second set with an early break in the first game. Lestienne broke back at love in the fourth game to draw level to 2-2. Shelton closed out the second set 7-5 with a crucial break in the 11th game.
Shelton reached the quarter finals at the Australian Open on his first trip outside the United States.
“I am really happy to be here in Portugal. I want to thank the whole crowd for their support today. I was hearing the chants. I am really enjoying my time here, so hopefully I can keep it going”, said Shelton.
Shelton will take on Dominic Thiem, who came back to beat Sebastian Ofner 3-6 6-3 6-4. Ofner broke twice in the second and sixth games to race out to a 5-1 lead. Thiem converted his third break back point in the seventh game for 2-5. Ofner saved four break points to hold serve in the ninth game clinching the first set 6-3. Ofner went up an early break in the first game of the second set, but Thiem won four consecutive game to open up a 4-1 lead. The Austrian player saved two break points to close out the second set with a hold of serve at deuce. Thiem opened up a 3-0 lead in the third set. Ofner pulled one break back in the fourth game for 1-3. Thiem held his final three games to close out the third set 6-4.
Kiomir Kecmanovic converted five of his eleven break points to cruise past Luca Nardi 6-1 6-4. Kecmanovic will face either Albert Ramos Vinolas or Jirij Rodionov. Bernabe Zapata Miralles beat Portuguese qualifier Henrique Rocha 6-4 6-2 setting up a second round match against Hubert Hurkacz.
