American tennis sensation Ben Shelton delivered a commanding performance on Thursday, extinguishing Australian hopes at Melbourne Park with a decisive straight-sets victory over local qualifier Dane Sweeny. The eighth-ranked Shelton demonstrated why he’s considered a serious title contender with a masterclass in serving precision, overwhelming his opponent 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in just over an hour of play.
The left-handed powerhouse unleashed 19 aces throughout the match, maintaining relentless pressure that prevented Sweeny from earning even a single break point opportunity. While the Australian crowd briefly rallied behind Sweeny when he captured the opening game of the third set, this momentary success only seemed to intensify Shelton’s focus as he promptly reclaimed control of the contest.
This defeat marked a disappointing day for Australian tennis, coming shortly after compatriot Rinky Hijikata also exited the tournament. Hijikata managed to claim a set against 31st-seeded Valentin Vacherot of Monaco but ultimately fell 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. Both Australian players found themselves outserved by higher-ranked opponents, highlighting the gap between emerging local talent and established international competitors.
Shelton now advances to the third round where he’ll face Vacherot, setting up an intriguing matchup between two rising stars in men’s tennis. The American’s dominant performance signals his strong form early in the tournament and establishes him as a player capable of challenging the established hierarchy in men’s tennis.