Ben Shelton takes down Ugo Humbert in Round 1 of 2026 Australian Open

Key Highlights

• Trusting his serve and an improving backhand return, Shelton dominated the tiebreak, allowing Humbert just two points before going up 2-0.“Breaking two times in that set, I knew I was returning well, I also knew I was serving well, just got a little unlucky with those two breaks – that’s what I told myself,” Shelton said. His backhand served him well in the third.
• Shelton fired off 21 of his 43 winners, including five aces, to finish off the game without dropping a set. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I’ve played a lot of great tiebreakers here, I’ve got a lot of experience, and I think that helped me a lot today,” he said.
• “Obviously, playing Ugo in the first round is a tough draw, on a court like this or anywhere.
• For me, it’s just about focusing on what I’ve been working on and the areas I’m trying to improve.”Up next for Ben Shelton at 2026 Australian OpenLooking ahead, Shelton faces Australian Dane Sweeny, who ranks No.
• 182 in the world and had to play through qualifiers to reach the main draw.