Ben Shelton moved past Spanish Next Gen star Martin Landaluce 6-4 6-3 on Grandstand in 76 minutes at Hard Rock Stadium to reach the third round at the Miami Open.
Shelton did not face a break point to win his first main draw match in Miami at the second attempt.
Shelton rallied from 15-40 down to break serve at deuce for 4-2 and served out the first set 6-4 at love.
Shelton converted his second break point in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. The US player sealed the second set 6-3 on his second match point.
Shelton has improved his win-loss record to 11-6 season.
Landaluce has risen 45 spots to world number 315 in the ATP Ranking.
“I am really happy to be here. There was unbelievable crowd support for me today. It’s really cool to be here. It has a special atmosphere atmosphere for me in Miami, especially at night, like when Chris Eubanks played here last night. Electric atmosphere, that’s what I live for on the tennis court, so I am just happy to be here and happy to be able to play another match here. I thought I was pretty I was pretty complete today. I thought I did a great job backing up my serve and usually when I have a lot of confidence and holding easily, the rest of of my game continues to flow, and my confidence just grows. I think that helps me a lot and puts a lot of pressure on the other guy”, said Shelton.
Shelton set up a third round match against Lorenzo Musetti, who beat last year’s Wimbledon quarter finalist Roman Safiulin 7-5 6-1 in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Musetti avenged his defeat against Safiulin, who beat his Italian opponent in the semifinals in Chengdu last September.
Musetti faced a break point in the first game, but he saved it with a backhand pass. Safiulin converted his second break point to take a 1-0 lead after two unforced errors from Musetti.
Musetti broke straight back on his second chance to draw level to 1-1 and held serve in the third game at deuce to take a 2-1 lead.
Musetti earned his first break in the sixth game with his forehand pass to take a 4-2 lead. Safiulin converted his third break point in the seventh game for 3-4. Musetti broke serve on his second set point in the 12th game to win the first set 7-5.
Safiulin held serve at love in the second game of the second set. Musetti reeled off five consecutive games with two breaks at 30 to win the second set 6-1. The Italian player served out the second set on his first match point.
Musetti beat his next opponent Shelton 6-4 4-6 6-4 in their only head-to.head match at Queen’s.
